VIRDS OF P.\SSAGE 




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ARAH''rAY1.0R 5R\TFORU' 







Class _SSi^ 
Book V/^«54^ 




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COPYRIGHT DEPOSm 



BIRDS OF PASSAGE 



BY 

SARAH TAYLOR SHATFORD 

n 




BOSTON 

SHERMAN, FRENCH df COMPANY 

1916 






Entered at Stationers' Hall 
All rights reserved 



Copyright, 1916 
SHERMAif, French &> Company 






FEB 28 1916 
■G)GI,A427030 



BIRDS OF PASSAGE 

To north, to south, — afar flying, — 
Seeketh the soul. 

To follow, to follow, — awearied, — 
The Leader. 

To rest, to rest, one crieth out; 

But we pass on, unhalting, — unheeding, — 

For it is not of our feather. 

We seek our own haven ; 

We speak our own tongue; 

We live our own mode. 

In what strange country shall night find us.'* 
And whither we goeth who knoweth but One? 
Strong-of-wing, seeking shelter in storms and cross- 
currents, 
We trust, — trust and keep on, and wing on ! 



CONTENTS 

RELIGION p^^^ 

Comprehension 1 

The Hollow of His Hand 2 

Voices of Truth S 

My Prayer 4 

Gates of Pearl 5 

God Understands 6 

A Friend .... 7 

Little Grain 8 

One Hour 9 

How Dost Thou Carry? How Dost Thou 

Find? 10 

Can You? 11 

Christ's Day 12 

Anew 13 

Aim 14 

Courage! 15 

By and By 16 

Silence 17 

The Old Oak Tree 18 

The Heart's Garden 19 

Not Alone 20 

A Little While 21 

Trust 22 

Compensation 23 

Be Kind 24 

In Order 25 

Housed and Fed 26 

Life's Jewels 27 

Think 29 

The Rainbow 30 

Life's Lesson 31 

The Music that We Missed 32 

Not in a Day 33 

Some Twilight Hour 34 



PAGE 

Look Deep 35 

Lo! 36 

Alone 37 

Be Still 38 

If You Would 39 

Ocean of Rest 40 

Forgiveness 41 

Poised 42 

Kinship 43 

Thanksgiving Prayer 44 

Harvest 45 

Profit 46 

My Last Song 47 

Flower o' the Dust 48 

The World 49 

If only the Dear Lord Knows .... 50 

Even So 51 

The Garment of My Soul 53 

Dear Heart 54 

Never too Late 55 

Put out 56 

Tears 57 

Understand 58 

Beyond 59 

Worship 60 

Dark, Dark, Dark 61 

All Infinite 62 

A Leaden Casket 63 

God's Secrets 64 

The Master's Bidding 65 

Reason 66 

The Sparrow 67 

Full Measure 68 

On the Mount 69 

Unity 70 

Hiram's Thanksgiving 71 



PAGE 

Need 72 

New Life 73 

As A Man Thinketh 74 

The Pharisee 75 

What Then 76 

Thou Merciful 77 

A Castle Waits 78 

Wound and Scar 79 

" Wells without Water " 80 

The Hour is Late 81 

In the Shadow of His Wing .... 83 

The Never-failing Spring 84 

Thou and Thine 85 

Blessedness 86 

Speak, Lord ! 87 

LOVE 

This, My Heart-song 91 

The Fairy in the Lily 92 

To Arcady 94 

Fantasy 95 

Fountain and Spring 96 

Frost-killed 97 

Unanswered 98 

If Those We Love Dearest 99 

Heart's Desire 100 

The Rescue 101 

One 102 

The Vagrant Heart 103 

Love's Measure 104 

The Pathway 105 

Life's Rosary 107 

The Attic Room 108 

As in a Wood 109 

Heartbeats 110 

Heart's Gold Ill 



PAGE 

From Whence 112 

Fate 113 

A Single Flower 114 

Love's Echo 115 

Don't Let Me Know 117 

The Joys of Living 118 

Childless 119 

The Treasure Tray 120 

The Pearl's Legend 121 

Meme Chose 122 

The Secret 123 

Elaine 124 

Bliss of a Day 125 

Charm 126 

The Yoke 127 

Motherhood 128 

Scent of a Flower 129 

Belated 130 

My Girl 131 

Gossamer 132 

The Wind's Message 133 

Only God Knoweth 134 

A Friend 135 

The Mandate 136 

One Dear Name 137 

Futility 138 

Faded Leaves 139 

Cupid's Stage Setting 140 

Shure 141 

Coming Home 142 

A Toast 143 

A Lover's Gifts 144 

Once in a While 146 

Enrico's Serenade 147 

The Call . 149 

To Thee 150 



PAGE 

The Soul Knoweth its Own . . . .151 

Love Misers 152 

From " The Mission of the Rose " . . 153 

Affinity 154 

A Vision of a Maiden 155 

Ethical 157 

The Mountain Trail 158 

The First Stone 159 

The Thornless Rose 160 

Recalled 161 

The Balking Muse 162 

The Poet's Attic 163 

LYRICS 

The Harp of Many Strings 167 

Immortelle 168 

My Heart and I 169 

Reverie 170 

As of Yore 171 

Chasing the Rainbow 172 

Cherished 173 

In My Breast is a Bird 174- 

The Broken Strings 175 

Debtors 176 

I Would I Were 177 

Sleepy Hollow 178 

She Loveth Me! 179 

Blest is the Night! 180 

Thou art to Me 181 

Three Little Sorrows and Three Little 

Joys 182 

You 183 

The Dewdrop and the Rose 184 

Freedom of the Winds 185 

Love's Fairest Dream 186 

Heartcalls 187 



FAOE 

In Shadowy Ways 188 

The Fairies' Secret 189 

The Messengers 190 

Wonder of Life, O Rose 191 

One Happy Hour 192 

My Heart a Compass is 193 

How CANST Thou Bloom, O Rose . . . 194 

Unknown 195 

The Difference 196 

With Him 197 

The Dead Bird 198 

Song of My Heartstrings 199 

I Chose a Rose to Tell My Love . . . 200 

Norwegian Slumber Song 201 

Answer . . . • 202 

Jewels of My Heart 203 

In all the World 204 

My Pearls 205 

Spring's Begun ! 206 

Constancy 207 

The Old Salt's Tale 208 

If I Thy King might be 209 

Where Dreams Come True 210 

The Awakening 211 

The Redbreasts 212 

O Evening Star 213 

A Dream 214 

Three Little Words 215 

But I do 216 

Mysterious Mysteries . . . . . .217 

When the Clouds have Passed Away . .218 

Treasury 219 

What is a Day to a Love like Ours . . 220 

Dear Heaven 221 

Trinkets of Memory 222 

Dear Old Louisiana 223 



PAGE 

La Novice 225 

When Weary Grows the Heart . . . 226 

Bye-o-baby 227 

I Long for You 228 

Treasures 229 

A Moth . 230 

Kismet 231 

Idolatry 232 

When Madeline is Near 233 

The Wind through the Branches . . . 234 
Well Beloved 235 

Wondrous Flower o' Mine ! . . . . 236 

Mine! 237 

Because 238 

Jewels of Time 239 

Passed 240 

Above Me 241 

You 242 

The Sundown Kiss 243 

A Promise in the Sky 244 

Alone 246 

Yesterday 247 

Somewhere 249 

Away on the Sea of Mystery .... 250 

Into Thy Hands .251 

GooD-BY 252 

The Old Song 253 

Jesus is Here 255 

Thou and I 256 

1 Love You Still 258 

Chant d* Amour 259 

Autumn Leaves 260 

Adrift 261 

Deep in My Heart 262 

The Land o* Dreams 264 

The Butterfly 266 



PAGE 

On the Shore of Evermore .... 268 

Mother 269 

He is Risen 271 

The Winds of God 272 

My Heart is Crying out My Love for Thee 273 

Remember 274 

Treasures above Gold and Rubies . . . 275 

Her Locket 277 

The Idol of My Dreams 278 

My Own Sweet Marjorie 280 

Eleanor 281 

The Lass on the Shore 282 

A Paradise were This 283 

What can I do to Make You Love Me? . 284 

Honey-Chile 285 

Love 287 

The Violets 288 

A Sanctuary 289 

The Boatswain's Call 290 

The Masterpiece 291 

Mosaics 292 

Mavourneen Queen 293 

The Ways that Wind 294 

There 295 

" The Difference to Me " 296 

Sufficing All 297 

An Angel's Visit 298 

The Rose's Sacrifice 299 

Dreams that may Never Come True . . 301 

Daffodils 302 

Ah, what is the Use of Trying! . . . 303 

Wee Baby 305 

My Soul and I 306 

A Soldier Bold 307 

Come along to Mississippi 308 

Since I've Lost You 310 



PAGE 

The Thornless Rose 311 

The Sun is Shining for You .... 312 

Marriage a la Suffrage 314 

And Yet! 315 

Cupid's Game 316 

Our Flag, American 318 

The Wagon and the Star 320 

Honey Heart 322 

The Robin's Message 323 

Witches of the Night 324 

In a Byway 325 

Oh, but to Know 326 

The Heart's Requiem 327 

MISCELLANEOUS 

Heart of a Friend 331 

To Memory 332 

Praise 333 

The Spirit of the Forest 334 

Growth's Sake 335 

The Heart Knoweth 336 

Life's Days as the Rose's Petals . . . 337 

The Land of Might-Have-Been . . . 338 

Home 340 

To Rest 341 

Thou shalt not Kill 342 

The Outgone Tide 343 

" Life's Beautiful Adventure "... 344 

The Elfin's Song 345 

Little Words 346 

Little Girl 347 

King Winter 348 

Let's 349 

Happytown 350 

Life's Gold 352 

To a Poet of the Air 353 



PAGE 

The Barren 354, 

Two Little Shoes 355 

Uncurled 356 

Victory 357 

The Stork 358 

Art and Fame 359 

What Matter 360 

The Meaning of it all 361 

Purpose 362 

I Know, — I Know 363 

How CAN You Know 364! 

Fragrance of the South 365 

Your Best 366 

Alive 367 

Poet-Lore 368 

Gold of Earth 369 

Face to Face 370 

Adrift 371 

The Mediocre Song 372 

Ye wot not 373 

The Robin in the Rain 374 

Peace 376 

My Monument 377 

Friendship 378 

Profit 379 

Recompense 380 

Mine 381 

Harmony 382 

Some Day 383 

Be Patient 384 

After all 385 

Frail Little Men 386 

Halt and Blind 387 

His Own 388 

A Little Patch of Sunshine .... 389 

Broken 390 



PAGE 

Nature's Olden Way 391 

Thinking Thoughts 392 

A Silver Strand 393 

Life 394 

In the Shade 395 

Little Foes 396 

Common Clay 397 

No More 398 

Good-by, Old Year 399 

" In the Silver Morning Sea " . . . . 400 

The Passer-By 401 

In the Springtime 403 

A Prescription 404 

"Somebody" Said: 405 

Live and Let Live 406 

Faery Spring 407 

Resolved 408 

The Sword of Selma 409 

A Little Halting Message 410 

The Gift 411 

Angelic Voice 412 

A Cross 413 

" Weaving " 414 

Everybody's Haven 416 

The Signal 418 

Castle of Delight 419 

To Honor Bright 420 

If— 423 

How Little 424 

Such is Life 425 

Whither 426 

Owned 427 

A Fadeless Wreath 428 

Laurels 429 

When Day is Done 430 

You and I 431 



PAGE 

MoNA Lisa 432 

At Christmastide 433 

Her Choice 434 

Dear Girl 436 

Nature's Mirror 438 

The Wage Earner 439 

Paid in Full 440 

Side by Side 441 

Begin over 442 

High and Low 443 

Deaf or Blind? 444 

I couldn't Tell You why 445 

Sing Me a Song 446 

As You See it 447 

When the World's Asleep 448 

Cheer up 449 

Open Books 450 

Mighty Millions 451 

There and Here 452 

The " Dead " Poet 453 

Myself and I 454 

'Round the Rim 455 

Soul-Poverty 456 

White Narcissus 457 

Fanny Ann 458 

Forest and Sea 459 

Tomorrow 460 

The Primrose Path 461 

The View 462 

Solitaire 463 

Hunger 464 

Relying on Him 465 

The Scar 466 

A Pattern of You 467 

The Bleeding Heart 468 

Paltry Things 469 



PAGE 

Sound 470 

The Life Throb and the Silence . . .471 

Fabric of Dreams 473 

The Wanderers 474 

Resurgam 475 

Pope of the Poor 476 

Forgiven Most 477 

Perplexed 478 

A Poet Paid 479 

Shadow Isle 481 

Unknown 482 

Just 483 

Across a Grave 484 

Hand Me Downs 485 

Sunset and Sunrise 487 

Embers 488 

Shine Inside 489 

Realms Beyond 490 

Divers Gifts 491 

From the Thicket 492 

So Little 493 

Threads of Fate 494 

Some Lowly Lot 496 

Dearest Wish 497 

Wireless 498 

Questions 499 

Many 500 

Vanity 501 

Ours be 502 

In Memoriam 503 

The Awakening 504 

This You must Know 505 

Notes 506 

A Soldier's Chance 507 

When Sophie Smiles 508 

Why is a Spinster? 509 

By the Wayside 510 



RELIGION 



COMPREHENSION 

Thou Way Shower, 

Thou Light by which all men must be guided 

Who rest, — 

Help me to know Thee, 

And to understand Thy wisdom. 

Eager for knowledge, 

1 pray Thee for understanding. 

Mind Divine, 

As I comprehend Thee, 

Help me to comprehend my brothers, 

And they me ; 

That the days spent in the journey 

May be pleasant days ; 

That helping and serving one another. 

The dissonant notes may change to harmony ; 

In loving Thee, 

So may we know and comprehend 

Love. 



[1] 



THE HOLLOW OF HIS HAND 

There is no place so dark He will not enter; 
No place so small but He is ever there. 
There is no burden howe'er light or heavy, 
But that He knoweth, and will help thee bear. 

There is no time when He is not beside thee ; 
No hour so sad but He doth understand. 
There is no life, e'en high or low without Him ; 
He holds all in the hollow of His hand. 



m 



VOICES OF TRUTH 

" Call," said the sea ; 
" Find," said the wind ; 
" Watch," said the stars ; 
" Seek," said the mind. 

" Lo ! " said the Book ; 
" Know," said the soul ; 
" Love," said the heart ; 
" God," said the whole. 



[3] 



MY PRAYER 

Help me to love instead of hate ; 
Help me to hope ; help me to wait. 
From out my store, help me to give ; 
Thou, who knowest, help me forgive. 

Help me to trust, for this is life ; 
Help me to work, and shun all strife ; 
Help me to share my brother's ills ; 
Help me to spare, for censure kills. 

Help me to lift along life's road 

My comrade, weighed with heavy load. 

Help me to soar above the fret 

And wrongs of life. Help me forget. 



[4] 



GATES OF PEARL 

Within there is for each heaven supernal, — 
A kingdom o'er which none can reign but thee ; 

The throne of God is there, the mind eternal, 
The same which rules the tempest and the sea. 

If thou hadst known the kingdom was so near 
thee, 
If thou hadst read aright, " Come unto me " ; 
What Paradise the world-way thou hadst trav- 
ersed ; 
What gates of pearl had opened unto thee. 



[5] 



GOD UNDERSTANDS 

Do not worry if the words that you would 

utter, — 
Expressing praise for heaven's gifts and 

plans, — 
You cannot form in satisfying phrases ; — 
The prayer that's in the heart, God understands. 

Do not worry if the love that you have given 
Is flung back unrequited in your hands ; 
But sow its seeds broadcast in fertile pastures, — 
The love that's in the heart, God understands. 

Do not worry if the jewels you would gather 
Ye cannot string as pearl or coral strands, 
But seek for those, when passing, ye take thither 
Where crowns are made of these. He under- 
stands. 



[6] 



A FRIEND 

It is by thee the way here must be travelled ; 

It is to thee thy God looks in the end. 

Then know no other's faults can make thee 

travail ; 
And if thou hast thy God thou hast a Friend. 



[7] 



LITTLE GRAIN 

A LITTLE seed at harvest time 
Was dropped along the way ; 
The kindly earth but nurtured it, 
Warmed by the sun of day. 
At night the dew refreshed it ; 
Sometimes God sent the rain. 
Today a meadow waves abloom, 
All from that little grain ! 



[8] 



ONE HOUR 

When night closed down upon that mount of 

tears, 
Earth's darkness yawned. (E'en the divine 

hath fears.) 
Forsaken, in the darkest hours that be, 
Christ said, " For just one hour, 
Couldst thou not watch with me.'^ " 

When life's days o'er, finished our span of years, 
We'll meet with Him whom all the world reveres, 
Oh, may His words with steadfastness empower : 
" Couldst thou not watch with me. 
For just one hour.'' " 



[9] 



HOW DOST THOU CARRY? HOW DOST 
THOU FIND? 

How dost thou carry thy pitcher to the foun- 
tain, 
And bring it filled with living water? 
Dost thou make the journey in the night time; 
Or dost thou carry thy pitcher by day? 

How didst thou find the fountain of living water? 
Wast thou born near to it, or didst thou travel 

thither? 
Why may I not carry my vessel and it be filled 

for me? 

I know not; I know not. Only this can I tell 

thee: 
So often as I carry the pitcher it is filled. 
And if these waters which I fetch are not crystal, 
'Tis not the fault of the fountain ; 
But all fault lieth within the pitcher. 
Which was not cleansed. 



[10] 



CAN YOU? 

Can you bear the burdens lifted? 
Can you forge ahead though pressed? 
Can you do the task that's shifted? 
Can you grow though soul-distressed? 

Can you see though day is ended ? 
Can you hear though silence reigns? 
Can you love when wrongs are mended ? 
Can you trust when doubt proclaims? 

Can you wait till God is ready? 
Can you know Him yours through all? 
Can you keep your soul all steady ? 
Can you smile when He may call? 



[11] 



CHRIST'S DAY 

(Written on the saddest Christmas the world has 
ever known, 1914.) 

The dumb then spoke, and voiced a prayer 
The blind ne'er stumbled in the way ; 
The halt arose and leaped for j oy ! 
And gold had e'en the poor to pay. 

The sinner woke as from a dream ; 
The prisons freed their caged ones then ; 
And brother love brought peace to all ; 
For here Christ walks the earth again! 



[12] 



ANEW 

A VIRGIN leaf. 

Upon its smooth white surface, 

Not a stain ! 
And I can write and record here 
Good deeds, good thoughts and gain ? 
No tear to blot nor smear 
This pure untarnished page 

Of the New Year! 

Then I'll begin : 

I'll do some little good each day ; 

And think no evil; 

Nor permit my tongue to say 

A single word I cannot face 

When turning to this page to trace 

My progress 'long life's way. 

There is so much on earth that's bright, 

I will not pine, nor mope, nor grieve, 

At last when night doth come ; 

(As it must come to all) 

But looking up, I will press on ; 

The sun will rise at dawn ! 

When last this page is done. 
May He who seeth me 
And knew it all ere I began, 
Reward me as I tried; and span 
My efforts with my trials, as can 
The judge of every man. 

[la] 



AIM 

To live so that the world can claim of me no 

debt ; 
To die e'en all forgot, but not forgetting yet ; 
To live to leave a lesson or a word ; 
To die unheralded, but not unheard ; 
To live so one, just one, may miss my humble 

song; 
To die, having not one on earth done wrong ; 
To live for something more than living life ; 
To die all calm, serene, — no fear, no strife. 



[14] 



COURAGE! 

Be still, my heart, and wait ! 

The day will come. 
It may be soon. 

Or, tarrying, it may be late : 
Just know the day will come ! 

Be still my heart ! 

And wait! 

Dispel the doubt 

That flings the soul about, 
Distrusting fate. 
Poor heart of mine, be still ! 
The day must come : it will. 
Courage, my heart. 

Wait ! Wait ! 



[15] 



BY AND BY 

If I may have no flowers on earth today, 
But briared o'er with thorns my rocky way, 
I know on high where flowers ne'er fade or die, 
Enough flowers are there for me, by and by ! 

If there's no love on earth today for me, 
And I must walk alone, and alone be. 
On high there waits a love that knows no sigh! 
This love will greet and claim me, by and by. 

If I may find no praise from mortal lips. 
The while my bruised foot here climbs and slips, 
One word of praise from One who is on high 
Will repay o'er and o'er, there, by and by. 



[16] 



SILENCE 

A HUSH was in the autumn air, 

Still was the wood, 

Calm on the water's face, 

Peace understood. 

" Rest," spoke the tired brain ; 

" Awe," spoke the whole ; 

" Trust," spoke the hopeful heart ; 

" Prayer," spoke the soul. 



17 



THE OLD OAK TREE 

The old oak tree which sheltered me 
Had endured the storms so enduringly, 
(Far and beyond a century) 
And contrasted so in nobility 
And sturdy faith and humility, — 
For all it was only an oak tree, — 
With all the fears which encompassed me. 

In its massive strength it seemed to say: 
" I was only an acorn blown this way 
By a gale terrific one stormy day; 
But I knew I had the strength in me 
To grow and become this great oak tree. 

" It wasn't for me to pine, or choose 
The place or the way ! No time to lose ! 
I found myself here and knew I should grow ; 
And knowing was all. Why don't you 
know.?" 



[18] 



THE HEART'S GARDEN 

The heart is a fertile garden 
Where lovely flowers may bloom, 
If the weeds of hate and malice 
Are kept out to give them room. 

You are the gardener of your heart ; 
The seeds are yours to sow ! 
Oh, would you see and be the weeds. 
Or the flower's rare perfume know ? 

The garden needs much tending, 
And cultivation pays ; 
Prepare the soil and sow the seeds. 
Then keep the garden free from weeds. 
And know the sunshine's glow it needs. 
As well as rainy days. 



[19] 



NOT ALONE 

When earthly trials beset our paths we feel 
It is but human to rebel and moan : 
But think of all He bore when here, and know 
Where God is none can ever be alone. 

When night o'ershadows all the hopes we've 

known, 
And darkness only seems to be our own, 
Think of that night upon Gethsemane! 
Where God was watching, Christ was not alone. 

And so through life, in all its bitter hours. 
There is a love for all loss will atone: 
Though every earthly friend forsake me here. 
If God is with me, I am not alone. 

Then let us claim this love our very own ; 
And clasp the flowers of truth from seed's He's 

sown; 
E'er knowing, on and on, e'en to the throne, 
That God is with us ; we are not alone. 



[20] 



A LITTLE WHILE 

The sun must set; 

The hours of day speed by ; 

The night must come for every one. 

As you and I, 

Careless in ease, no thought of pain, 

Go on our separate ways, 

We scarcely think if we shall meet again. 

Or numbered be our days. 

A little while, 

And hands that warmly clasp 

In comradeship and helpful love. 

Divided are ; 

And vanished is the presence dear 

Which made life heaven here! 

We must pass on ; our little day be done ; 

The springtime leaf grows sear ! 

Then, while the sun 

In glorious warmth and light 

Doth cheer our hearts, making life bright, 

Let us so live 

Each day and hour, that we may give 

Unto that final night 

The blessed peace which with evening falls. 

When thought of sleep enthralls ! 



[21] 



TRUST 

God knows I've done my best ; 

With Him I leave the rest 

In trust: 

I know that He is just. 

I know He sees 

That I have drained the lees ; 

I know He knows 

The tenderness that flows 

Through my poor heart ; 

For He hath said 

E'en that's of Him a part ! 

He knoweth all. 

The tears that fall 

Are marked so well 

There is no need to tell 

Him why. 

He heareth every sigh. 

So, though I live or die, 

I'll trust to Him the rest ; 

God knows I've done my best. 



[22] 



COMPENSATION 

When the sky has seemed the darkest, 
With no rift of heaven's blue, 
And there was no silver lining. 
And no speck of sun peered through ; 

When the storm and tempest threatened. 
And the hurricanes were nigh, 
And the torrents overpowering 
Seemed no blessing from on high ; 

Have you turned to that light in you, 
Which you most forgot you knew, — 
And found there was no mystery 
But that God was sharing too? 

When this life has seemed most troubled, 
And no hope rose in your breast. 
And joy had died so long ago 
You forgot how she was drest ; 

When your heart and senses failed you 
In the wilderness of doubt. 
And the blessings long forgotten 
You had learned to live without ; 

Have you turned to that God with you. 
Who is yours whate'er you do, — 
And found life held no misery 
But that God was sharing too? 
[23] 



BE KIND 

Be kind and good and gracious, and pious, if 

you can: 
If the way you can't see 
To bend the knee, 

A heartful of prayer sent trustfully 
Up, will welcome be ! 

Some souls are humble ; some are high ; 

We differ in stature, you and I. 

You may need to kneel that your soul may rise 

Till it enters the portals of the skies ; 

A streak of light on the horizon rim 

Carries my soul straight up to Him. 

Desire or labor or service 

Or the song of tiny bird, 
A budding flower's best effort. 

The helpful, unspoken word, 
All are prayers to Him the Maker ; 

For " naught is unseen, unheard." 

Prayer's form may differ with you and me. 
But prayer is the same eternally ! 



[24] 



IN ORDER 

I HAVE put my house in order, 
I have swept the byways clean, 
And purified the atmosphere 
Of all things low and mean. 

T have washed the clouded windows, 
Where the vision clear would rest; 
And looking out upon God's world, 
I see His plans are best. 



[25J 



HOUSED AND FED 

These earthly walls which close our spirits in 
Are like the thatched cot upon the moor, 
That shelters and protects us, you and I, 
However poor, until we cast them by. 
And wing our way on high, 
Where our Father's mansion 
Awaiteth in the sky. 

This outer shell, directed by our wills. 

Doth serve us well ; 

And leads to joy and peace words cannot tell. 

Befouled, unswept, it falleth to decay ; 

Impoverished by vice, in poverty must stay. 

Then treat thy spirit well 
The while 'tis housed by thee ; 
And keep its home all clean, 
With naught that's mean, 
And 'twill repay in full 
Thy hospitality. 



[26] 



LIFE'S JEWELS 

An angel held a casket in her hand, 
And stood before a pilgrim of earth-land, 
Who, by his prayer devout, had brought from 

high 
The One who heareth every yearning cry. 

Within, this casket held the gems of life 
Which many pilgrims envy through earth's 

strife, 
But never have to hold, or never see. 
Until they pass beyond death's mystery. 

This pilgrim stored up naught for moth or rust, 
And first of all he chose the jewel "Trust"; 
*' For with this gem my fortune will increase ; 
So long as I have ' Trust,' will I know peace ! " 

God's angel said, " Pilgrim, thou chooseth well ; 
This jewel is worth price past words to tell." 
" Then give to me the jewel * Prayer,' " said he : 
" And with but these, I will most happy be ! " 

" And these," the angel said, " will earn the rest 
I carry here within this sacred chest : 
' Constancy,' ' Faith,' ' Honor,' ' Charity,' 
And rare ' Content ' at last will be for thee ! 



[27] 



'•' ' Forgiveness,' ' Hope,' and ' Knowledge ' shall 

be thine! 
And all thy days shall these, thy jewels, shine! 
For he who hath all these, hath envied 

' Power,'— 
The priceless jewel for life's every need and 

hour!" 



[28 



THINK 

Thought is a weapon, or it is a shield; 
By it a wound can be made or healed. 
Your thought can add to the traveler's load, 
Or lift a weight 'long a dreary road. 

Thought is a flower, or it is a weed ; 
Whate'er you plant it will bear a seed. 
Whate'er you think in your heart, are You : 
It rests with you, whatever you do. 



[29] 



THE RAINBOW 

I CANNOT say just where the rainbow ends, 

Nor in what land its prismic mystery lends 

A fairer glow than we can see in this, 

If at its end there is all unknown bliss : 

But this I know, of this I am full sure: 

If he wlio seeks this end doth but endure, 

He'll find the mystic circle on some sod. 

For this I know: life's rainbow ends with God. 



[30] 



LIFE'S LESSON 

There is a hate which strangles all good pur- 
pose; 

There is content which nothing could make 
strife ; 

There is a peace which passeth understanding; 

There is a love which glorifies all life. 

There is a lesson here which none can banish ; 
There is an answer to each earnest call ; 
There is a home where dear ones never vanish ; 
There is a care beyond and above all. 



[31] 



THE MUSIC THAT WE MISSED 

By and by the music that we missed will sound 

its symphony. 
By and by, the harvest all sun-kissed, for us 

will garnered be. 
By and by the love we thought was banished 

shall rekindle in our dying hearts a flame ; 
By and by the dear ones we called vanished shall 

return to lead us as they came. 
By and by the power within us, which we little 

understood. 
Will unite with Him who made us, saying, " All 

He made was good." 



[32] 



NOT IN A DAY 

The beauties of the rose unfold not in a day ; 

But watched and tended long, a bud puts forth 
from spray 

Which, through long days of sun and rain and 
morning's dew, 

Doth open gradually its velvet petals' hue. 

And then, barring all blast and worm and with- 
ering blight, 

A rose blossoms to view ! 

It is the same with me and you ; 

Not in a day, but months and years, — 

And through skies gray and blue, 

And lifetime joys and tears, — 

Do beauties of the soul unfold. 

At last, barring neglect and rust, 

A soul ! its grace untold. 



[33] 



SOME TWILIGHT HOUR 

Is there some twilight hour 

When peace rests over all, 

And from some tower, — 

Above all petty care and pain, — 

We rise from strife and lust and gain. 

And, careless, know untrammeled bliss? 

Is there some twilight hour like this? 

Apast the night where daylight never wanes, — 

Past toil and grief and loss and stains, 

Beyond all doubting and mistrust, — 

Awaits for all, ay, all that lives, 

Blessing of Giver? — One who gives 

In justice all that's just? 

Then in this time there's naught of earth we 

miss ? 
There is, there is, some twilight hour like this ! 



[34] 



LOOK DEEP 

Beneath the surface of the calm outside, 

Smarts wound of poisoned dart. 

Beneath the shabby raiment, 

Beats many a loyal heart. 

Beneath the sun the flowers rise 

From out the old earth's sod. 

Beneath the clouds the stars still shine, 

Bright messengers of God ! 

Beneath the sea in silence dwells 

A world of mystery, 

Though searched o'er for centuries, 

Man hath not found the key. 

Beneath the grave the wornout husk 

No longer holds the soul. 

Beneath this life there is God's plan 

That perfecteth the whole ! 



[35] 



LO! 

" Lo, I am with you always," — 
And this message is for me : 
It matters not that mortal sight 
Can ne'er behold infinity. 

There is no place so small, so far, 
This promise doth not carry ! 
There is no time when I'm alone ; 
For there my Lord doth tarry. 

" I am with you always." Always. 
His words. Are they not true.'' 
This message, then, is meant for me ; 
Is it not meant for you.? 



[36] 



ALONE 

The day and hour when each one here must 

stand 
Unshielded, unprotected, and alone, 
Awaits all living men of every land, — 
That moment when God claims the soul His own. 

'Tis then that thou must answer for each 

thought, 
Which has built up thy life and made thee thee ; 
No friend can go with this thy record fraught; 
Nor can I help, no more canst thou help me. 



[37] 



BE STILL 

The ways that are winding, the ways that are 

dark, 
May seem but the course of your frail earthly 

barque ; 
But the waters must calm with your faith if you 

will; 
In silence, believing, recall *' Peace, be still." 



[38] 



IF YOU WOULD 

Oh, would you the same music 
Of bird and leaf and rill? 
Listen, look, and worship, — 
Love and trust and till. 

Oh, would you all the sweetness 
And fragrance flowers know? 
Firmly plant, and be resolved, — 
Then face the sun and grow ! 



[39] 



OCEAN OF REST 

In thy infinite sky where the soul doth wing 

To the Ocean of Rest none giveth but thee, — 

Over the strife of worlds and wars, — 

Where naught but love can ever be, 

And never a hammering word is heard. 

And never a fear in the breast is stirred ; 

Past all seeming, to things that are ; 

Past all striving and things which mar ; — 

Ocean of Rest, on thy infinite breast 

May the barque be launched with the soul of 

me, — 
Calm as the infinite God who rules 
That each is a part of infinity. 



[40] 



FORGIVENESS 

If a stream all clogged and muddy 
It were yours to purify 
By flooding crystal waters through, 
That would reflect God's sky, 

Would you not haste to gladden 
E'en the lowly meadowlands 
If this blessing of the Giver 
Were idle in your hands ? 



[41] 



POISED 

The soul a compass is, which guides life's barque 
Across the harbour-bar, aye through death's 

dark! 
Upon this instrument we can rely, 
However rough life's sea, until we die. 

The soul a compass is, — faithful and true ; 
Ready, if you but look, to rescue you 
From shoals, and tides and winds, however ill. 
And bring you to God's haven, if ye will ! 



[42] 



KINSHIP 

The mystery we feel at eve when the first star 

hangs in the sky, 
The trust which wells up in the heart, love of 

immortal God on high, — 
For all the wonders past men's minds, for all 

His plans past finding out, 
When e'en a star hangs in the sky, how can 

mere mortal men e'er doybt? 

The awe all men have known at sea or felt when 

on mid-ocean's breast. 
The worship known to everyone who sees His 

plans are His and best. 
The kinship of the trees and plants, — the same 

which runs through brother man, — 
So long as one flower opens out, to doubt the 

divine plan ye can? 



[43] 



THANKSGIVING PRAYER 

(1914) 

Dear Lord of all, help us to see 
Thy way in all, e'en bound or free, 
In peace or war, on land or sea. 
Since all is Thine, where'er men be ; 
And Thou art God eternally. 

Help us to trust in darkest hour 

This barren stalk sends forth some flower, 

Which garnered in its fragrancy 

Shall show Thy hand mercifully 

Doth guide, and point Thy divine way 

Was desolation of to-day. 



[44] 



HARVEST 

Would ye reap the harvest, 
Sow as it is meant ; 
God will send the dew and rain; 
Plant, and be content. 

Would you own the vineyard. 
Where are fruitful vines? 
Even so, would this suffice, 
If ye desire rich wines ? 

Abundant is the blessing. 
Faithful is the blest ; 
Be of these, and do thy part ; 
God will do the rest. 



[45] 



PROFIT 

Don't ask too much of e'en the unseen powers ; 
Roses will always have thorns ; thistles flowers. 
And every day that passeth hath its night 
Whose darkest hours must end with dawn's sun- 
Hght. 

Don't ask too much of e'en the unseen powers ; 
Privileged are you to live the blessed hours, 
Winging toward life all perfect, where all bliss 
Awaits you as you've profited by this. 



[46] 



MY LAST SONG 

As a homeless bird-wanderer at nightfall 

Wings to a sheltering branch, 

So may my soul, having sung its last note it 

could not help singing. 
Be willing to rest wherever Thou hast provided 

a shelter. 

Out in the night, fearless of storms. 
My soul shall wing when the sun sets. 
For Thy merciful branch is everywhere, 
And the fall of the sparrow Thou marketh. 

A song of the night, — the dark before light. 

The rest before day, the peace before dawn, 

Of these shall my soul sing. 

Upon any branch in the wilderness, 

For Thy sheltering wing doth cover all. 



[47] 



FLOWER O' THE DUST 

By the wayside fallen and crushed, bruised and 
withered, 

flower o' the dust, thou wert not ever thus. 
Fit for an altar vase must thou have been 
E'er thy broken leaves were flung upon the street 
To be trampled on by the ungodly feet of men. 

1 see thee in thy peaceful place, love's garden. 
Where watchful eyes have treasured thy fair 

bud, 

And tender hands have plucked for love's adorn- 
ing, 

Thy lovely graceful stem, and held thee to the 
lips. 

Drinking deep of thy essence, which thou be- 
stowed all generously. 

Flower o' the dust, thou and thy fragrance art 

not lost. 
Thou art a part of Him who dieth not. 
Bruised is the flower for scent, the grape for 

wine; 
And all within, without, His plan divine. 



[48] 



THE WORLD 

So the world goes on! 

The little men all puffed with satisfaction, 

And armored by their own conceit, 

The great souls imaging the highest ideals, 

Fearing but their defeat. 

And he who sleeps all dreamless through the 

night, 
Wakes careless of the new demands of day ; 
While one who spent the silent hours in plans 
To lift his kind, ne'er feels sure of the way. 

And these make up our lives. 

The little man, who dares look to the stars 

And says there is no God, — and death ends 

all,— 
The great soul, seeing Him in everything, 
And listening for His every voice and call! 



[49] 



IF ONLY THE DEAR LORD KNOWS 

What matter how little of pleasure, 
What matter how great is the pain 
Life offers with all of its lessons, 
If knowledge of love doth sustain ; 
And we know whatever we profit 
From adversity's wind that blows, 
Be not lost to us or the Maker, 
If only the dear Lord knows. 

What matter if efforts seem wasted, 

What matter if silent the praise 

We work for and strive for, most die for. 

Through all of our earthly days ; 

If, by One who marks even the sparrow. 

The harvest be garnered one sows ; 

And our storehouse be filled with soul-treasures. 

If only the dear Lord knows ! 

What matter the ending of all things. 
So long as the end bringeth near 
The closing of schooltime and harvest, — 
Reward for our life-term career ! 
If, into the boundless perfection. 
The soul on its upward flight goes, 
What matter earth's problems vexatious, 
If only the dear Lord knows! 



[50] 



EVEN SO 

The cup which my Father had given, 

In anger I thrust aside ; 
For bitter was it as wormwood, 

With dregs of gall inside. 
Rebellious, I would not drink it. 

Though it saved my soul alway ; 
Forsaking the cup, I wandered 

Afar, that bitter day ! 

Each road that I took was rocky ; 

Each drink, when athirst, was sour ; 
As the fastness of forest surrounded, 

And enmeshed in a tangled bower. 
Alone, I trod through the brushes. 

Where briars and thorns were rife ; 
Alone, I sought only for sweetness, 

As I fled from the bitter of life. 

In the desert of self I floundered. 

At the edge of the forest of sin, 
Where parching fever consumeth 

All who enter the sands therein. 
When my soul cried out in hunger, 

And my heart, aweary of thirst, 
Begged God for a morsel sustaining 

For a mortal so accursed ! 

Then, out of the waste was lifted 
The cup which my Father gave; 
[51] 



And a voice said : " Drink of it ! 
Drink of it ! 

It is all that thy soul can save ! " 
With hands too weak to guide it, 

And lips too parched to crave, 
I must kneel in the dust beside it, 

And drink from a new-made grave. 

As humbly I sipped the potion, 

A holy light appeared 
In the waste of that arid desert, 

Where even a voice seemed weird. 
Reflected therein, I stood changed. 

By all that a God names good ; 
While the cup to a chalice was altered. 

Which of yore, had appeared wormwood ! 

And the grave in the sands unfolded 

To show me what I had been. 
Ere the cup I beseeched from my Father 

Had cleansed me from hideous sin. 
Then the voice became a presence. 

And walked with me by my side, 
Holding my hand in the darkness. 

An ever-present guide. 
Leading to heights of heaven, 

Bearing me on, and up ; 
Though only those words were uttered: 

" Drink ; 'tis thy Father's cup." 

[52] 



THE GARMENT OF MY SOUL 

The soul must be made a garment, 

And, if the thread and texture be not of thy 

choosing, 
The pattern shall be only thy choice. 
Of shining whiteness canst thou make thy soul's 

robe, 
Such as only Light can make whiter. 

No hand but thine can fashion the garment; 
But fate may cross thy decision ; 
And near to a century may time help or hinder 
Ere that which is the undying You be clothed. 

The shuttle shall weave night and day, and the 

web be spun 
Which one day shall not only cover, but indeed 

be thee. 
When thou standest alone as thou art, — 
Where all are known as they are, — 
What covering hast thou made for thy soul? 



[53] 



DEAR HEART 

Dear heart, if you must part with all you 

prize, 
Thy way within the shadow lies ; 
And at the dawn, there are God's skies, 
All blue for you ! 

The rare wine from the pressed grape flows. 
Both sun and rain blossoms the rose. 
So, in the dawn of other days, 
We glimpse the heart that sorrow flays, 
And gaze on what we thought we prized ; 
And see how small, how undersized. 
The losses are to all the gain 
O'ermeasured us of ripened grain ! 

Then we kneel down to thank and praise 
The God who guides and guards our days. 

Dear heart, if you must part with all you prize. 

Thy way within the shadow lies ! 

But at God's dawn, there'll be His skies 

All blue for you ! 



[54] 



NEVER TOO LATE 

It is never too late to say the word 

You know that you should have said. 

It is never too late to mend the rent 

In friendship, till you are dead. 

It is never too late to love someone 

Or something or other, dear ; 

It is never too late to learn anything 

You want to learn ; don't fear. 

The day is not past for any good deed ; 

There's no such time as " too late." 

It is never too late for God to forgive ; 

He will meet you at the gate 

If you start today to walk His way! 

It is never, never, too late. 



[55] 



PUT OUT 

Out into clearer pathways, 
Wing to untrammeled skies, 
Wouldst walk midst the bramble bushes, 
Or soar where the eaglet flies? 

Out into smoother waters. 
Steer then thy full-sailed craft, 
Remembering thou art boatswain 
And pilot, fore and aft. 



[56] 



TEARS 

Useless thy tears. 
They do but rob thee of thy youth; 
Dimming the eye with grief; 
Marking the lids with woe. 

If tears must flow, 

To keep thy widowed heart from breaking, 

Better a thousand times to spare 

Thy flower-like face! 

Hearts were made for aching. . 

Useless thy tears. 

They never watered any grave 

From whence the flowers sprung half so sweet 

As where they trusted to God's rain, 

And His sweet spring, 

The violets would bloom again ! 



[57] 



UNDERSTAND 

There never was a sorrow, 
The weight we could not bear; 
There never was a dreary day 
But held some promise fair. 
There never was a heartache 
For which there was no cure ; 
There never was a misery 
Which we could not endure. 
There never was a summer 
But held its share of rain. 
There never was a pilgrim 
But bore his share of pain. 
There never was a heart on earth 
That was not meant for love. 
There never was a soul that's lost 
To heavenly bliss above. 



[58] 



BEYOND 

Theee are joys past all rejoicing; 
There are sorrows past all tears ; 
There is pain past comprehension ; 
There is faith past any fears ! 

There is knowledge past all proving ; 
There are visions past belief ; 
There are secrets past all science ; 
There is anguish past relief. 

There is hope past any cavil ; 
There is worship past all creeds ; 
There is truth beyond denying ; 
And supply past human needs ! 



[59] 



WORSHIP 

I DO not need thee to tell me where God is : 
I have looked in the face of a child, 
And I have seen the sun set. 

I do not need thee to chant me a service: 

The birds are singing in the forest 

To the orchestration of the sighing leaves. 

I do not need thee to chastise me : 
My church is the world, 
And my God is the God of life. 

I do not need thee to rebuke my lacking: 
For the God within keepeth the conscience ; 
And to Him is known what is worship. 



[60] 



DARK, DARK, DARK 

It is dark within and without. 

Fitful clouds pass ever, 

And the sky is cast over. 

In the heart no ray of light enters ; 

It is dark, dark, dark. 

Wingeth the birds as at evening. 
Forgetting 'tis day. 

For the night has come ere the sunset ; 
Storms darken the way. 

Hope, — where shall I seek it, — 

For to seek ye must see. 

Behind the clouds my wing cannot carry ; 

It is dark, — let it be. 



[61] 



ALL INFINITE 

Those happier moments when the soul doth rise 
Above the sordid earth things to the skies, 
Bespeak for all the Infinite within, 
No matter what the previous hours have been. 

The divine glimpses of the true, the good, 
The beautiful, aspiring, ever teach 
That God is here within, and we may find 
Him ever if a hand we will outreach. 

And there is not e'en one so overcome 
With sin or sorrowing in life's day or night. 
But that hath glimpsed the pure and ideal love 
Abounding all within, all Infinite. 



[6a] 



A LEADEN CASKET 

Thou art not brother to the ox, 

For his coat is not fine enough for thee. 

Thou canst not worship without a spire, 
For thou wouldst be jostled by the unclean. 

Thou didst not see the glories in the sunset, 
For thou must count thy gold. 

Thou canst not realize that thou art dead, 
For thy savorous dinner is waiting. 

Thou canst not hear the bird's song or the cry 

of thy brothers, 
For thy soul within thee is shut in a leaden 

casket ! 

Thou canst not wing on high, 
For adoration hath never, never entered thy 
sordid breast. 



[63] 



GOD'S SECRETS 

Within each little blade that grows 
There is a mystery no one knows. 
The stars o'ersprinkled in the sky 
Still are unsolved, howe'er men try ; 
And all the store of secret lore 
That's written here for us to see, 
But adds unto life's mystery. 

Within each human heart that beats, 
Life's current ebbs and swiftly fleets; 
The hopes and fears, and all we ken 
Regarding the short lives of men. 
But baffles, as it goes to show 
God's secrets man can never know. 



[64] 



THE MASTER'S BIDDING 

Let me be up and do the Master's bidding ; 
It matters not if here or 'cross the sea ! 
" I will not leave you comfortless " (what bless- 
ing 
In Jesu's words) " for I will come to thee." 

Then help me, Lord, while I am on this highway, 
That I may waste no time in idle tears ; 
But let me know if I have Thee beside me, 
I'll scale the heights, nor look back through the 
years. 

On, on, I'll trudge ; and nothing shall deter me ; 
I see the lights that in Thy pathway shine ! 
But hold my hand, and comfort me and guide me 
Until at last, with Thee, I am divine! 



[65] 



REASON 

Say not you cannot see why you were born! 
Just now I came this way, this very morn, 
And found a star-flower 'neath a boulder grown, 
Which seemed to shoulder that weight as its own. 

If little five-leafed flower in purity 
Can teach, and humble the sad heart of me, 
Then take it that 'twas grown to make us see 
That naught of Him could crushed or useless be ! 



[66] 



THE SPARROW 

Only a little brown sparrow, 
Only a sister of yours, 
Singing no song in the branches, — 
Common as all out doors. 

Lowly, — yet God in His wisdom 
Marks e'en the wee sparrow's fall ! 
She is your sister ; He knows it ; 
And He is the Father of all. 



[67] 



FULL MEASURE 

God will bless the kind and loving; 
He will bless the pure and meek; 
Doubly will He bless the humble 
Who through trials His kingdom seek. 

God will bless the honest, striving 
Souls who crave for wisdom's might 
Surely He will fill, full measure. 
Every heart that yearns for light. 



[68] 



ON THE MOUNT 

There is a hill from which we daily scan 
The hopes and progress in the heart of man ; 
And as we rise e'en to its glorious peak, 
We view, enraptured, scenes past words to speak, 

As from this height the valley is so far 
It doth a shadow seem ! There is one star 
Overhead which lifts the spirit above care. 
The star is that called Hope; the mount is 
Prayer. 



[69] 



UNITY 

United in one thought, one hope, one prayer, 
This earth would be a paradise so fair 
We scarcely can conceive what it would be, 
If here were brother-love and unity. 

There is one God, one gate, one life, for all ; 
And we as creatures e'en must rise and fall. 
" Judge not, lest ye be judged," means you and 

me: 
This is the first step, then, towards unity. 

All fare here on some thorny path the while ; 
Thy brother's hand hath helped, or brother's 

smile ? 
If thou canst not extend him merely this. 
Defile not then his lips with traitor's kiss. 

To live, to bear, to pass beyond the gate 
Where judgment for the kingliest doth wait. 
Where shall be known all even as they are. 
And " by their light," when they have crossed 
the bar! 

When we look back upon the strife of earth. 
Seeing the husk left for immortal birth. 
Oh, shall we wish that we had helped to be 
All that here might have been, in Unity.? 

[70] 



HIRAM'S THANKSGIVING 

Fur all the miseries I've escaped, 
An' all I didn't get, 
I bless the Lord Thanksgivin' Day, 
With a grateful heart, you bet. 

Fur all the pain I didn't have. 
The sorrows that passed by. 
An' all the storms that didn't break, 
Nor mar the peaceful sky ; 

Fur everything I didn't do. 
An' all o' Satan's sin 
I might have done like anyone, 
I'm turnin' my thanks in, — 

Fur all the curses I've withstood 
That rip a man apart. 
An' most of all I'm glad I've not 
A cold, unthankful heart. 

So, while my worldly goods is nil. 
My blessings stack up well. 
Fur all the terrors I've escaped, 
My thanks no tongue can teU. 



[71] 



NEED 

Dear Lord, I need not choose fine words 
When I would speak to Thee: 

The plainest, truest I can find 
Will sufficient be. 

I do not need to halt, or kneel, 

Nor need I even speak. 
A thought will reach Thee just as well 

If I be true, and seek. 

No gold need I to come to Thee, 
Nor friend to vouch for me ; 

I only need to know the way 
To gain Thy blessings free. 

Thy love which lifts, bestows, protects, 

I need but claim as mine ; 
And ne'er can I be loveless here 

When I'm a child of thine. 

Then let me know, where'er I go 

I cannot be alone; 
There is no need to doubt or fear 

Since I'm Thy very own. 



[72] 



NEW LIFE 

The spring was e'en the fairest I had seen. 
The tree's young leaves, all in their April green, 
Spoke of new life ; and as the breeze would wave 
The tiny fronds, I thought e'en of the grave 
Which hides the old life one day to be new, 
Speaking of God's wise plan. And this I knew : 
If life is not extinct in nature's mold, — 
E'en blanketed with ice and winter's cold, — 
And forth is brought the bud and blossoming 
Awakened in each tiny plant by spring, 
I know His plan He holds and keeps for man 
Is wise and just, and sweet in its surprise 
As that which He hath given everything 
Alive in the awakening time of spring! 



[73] 



AS A MAN THINKETH 

" The world is all wrong," she said, she said ; 
And at once there came a pain in her head, 
And her heart grew weak, and she couldn't 

speak ! — 
The next day she was dead. 

" The world is all right, 1 know, I know " ; 
And she gathered the beautiful sunshine's glow 
And scattered it where it hadn't been fair, 
Then watched the roses blow ! 

Thought is a magnet which draws 
To heart and head and face 
All beauty of life and soul, 
All elevation of place. 

Then guard each one in a golden sheath, 
As you add each day to eternity's wreath ! 
The sun is shining, the world is bright; 
Help lighten life's burdens. 
Help light its night. 



[74] 



THE PHARISEE 

" I THANK Thee, Lord, I am not as he ; 
By special blessing vouchsafed to me, 
'Tis plain Thou dost my path o'ersee : 
I thank Thee, Lord, I am not as he ! " 

But the voice that is heard though it speaketh 

not, 
Saith unto this man : " What is thy lot 
That thou with thyself contented be, 
Who hast sinned and hidden all craftily, 
Yet thankest thy Lord thou art sin-free? 

" Thy sins are not hidden to One who doth see 

All that's inscribed of thy life and thee ! 

If thou lookest inside in humility. 

Thou canst not say, ' I am better than he.' " 



[75] 



WHAT THEN 

Alx. prayer is good ; 

There is one God. 

Unto every soul that feels the rod, — 

Every worn-out husk placed in the sod,- 

The same was giv'n and taken by God. 

All prayer is good. 
Unto the sky 
Wingeth all desire, 
If you pray, or I. 
Then why all these words 
Which baffle men : 
Your God must be mine, — 
And so, what then? 



[76] 



THOU MERCIFUL 

When these poor mortal lips 

Can form no word to say ; 
When this faint, threadbare heart 

Can find no prayer to pray, — 
Be merciful ! 

When life's candle is burned 

To its last flickering ray, 
And we strivingly cling 

To our last earthly day, — 
Be merciful! 

When the journey is o'er and we stand at Thy 
door. 
Outworn by life's battles and scarred by its 
blows, 
Wilt Thou see beyond all the burdens we bore 
As we carried the cross and its weight of life's 
woes, — 

Thou Merciful? 

We know 'tis the heart Thou dost reckon Thine 
own. 
And to Thee every thought and each heart- 
beat is known ! 
We trust Thee to lift when we fall by the way ; 
We trust Thee to know thoughts our lips can- 
not say, — 

Thou Merciful ! 
[77] 



A CASTLE WAITS 

Somewhere, some place, befitting thy estate, 
A castle waits to claim thee mistress fair. 
Though thy arrival may be soon or late, 
'Tis built for thee, and it is waiting there. 

Wouldst that 'twere built of jasper, by the sea. 
With gold and gems beset, and pearl inlaid? 
The grandeur of this structure's left to thee; 
For it shall be whatever thou hast made ! 

We build on earth these mansions day by day 
(Though homeless heads are here, but not for 

aye) ; 
And when we reach these homes, — not far 

away, — 
We find them black and sombre, bright and gay. 

Or grand and fine, or lowly, shabby, poor, — 
Just as we chose to make them, you and I. 
Oh, let us build of stuff that shall endure ! 
A castle waits to claim thee in the sky. 



[78] 



WOUND AND SCAR 

Dear God, this day of memory and tears 
Observed by thine throughout the years, 
Marks one span more, one sacred bead 
On Memory's rosary, while hearts bleed 

For those who fell on battlefield 
Days past, today, where cannon yield 
Their human harvests, broken hearts. 
Be with them all as life departs. 

And let us know, — us, left behind, — 
All died for right ; oh, let us find 
Upon those gore-soaked fields of war 
Some peace, effacing wound and scar. 



[79] 



" WELLS WITHOUT WATER " 

" Wells without water," 
Hearts without kindness, — 
Empty of life, life-giving love. 

By all the stars above. 

Had I to choose between a heart and gold, 

I'd reach forth my poor, empty hand, — 

Thin from want, — 

And beg that I might die, a starveling of the sod, 

Rather than heartless live with gold and gain ; 

Ay, let me starve — with God. 



[80] 



THE HOUR IS LATE 

My soul stood waiting at the gate. 
*' Come," it said, " the hour is late ! 
'Tis time for thee to make amends. 
To choose between me and thy friends." 

" My friends ! My darling friends ! " quoth I 

" I love them best of all on earth ! 

I'll ne'er prove traitor to a friend 

For all that thou art worth. 

A promise in a doubtful sky 

Is all thou art to me ; 

A friend will help me to the end, 

And my consoler be ! " 

The hour was late. Still at the gate 

A soul doth wait through life. 

It sees through all earth's transient joys, — 

Its wars, its pleasures, strife! 

It knows thou dost choose vainly 

The way of earthly things ; 

It knows thy friends will vanish. 

Thy riches all take wings ! 

And it would save thee loss and pain ; 

But all its warnings are in vain ! 

At last thou art forsaken 

By the friends thou'lt not forsake ; 

[81] 



At last Misfortune finds thee 

In its race to overtake! 

At last the gold thou countest thine 

Doth not thy fortune make! 

At last thou art alone in life, 
And facing that sure goal 
Where everyone, like thee, must meet 
Their own neglected soul ; 
When thou art given second sight 
To view the blasted whole ! 

No wine, no song, no women 
Await thee at this gate ; 
The earthly path to heaven 
Is not the path that's straight ! 
Thy friends are not beside thee ; 
Thy dwarfed soul's at the gate; 
Canst thou look at it and own it ? 
The hour is very late. 



[82] 



IN THE SHADOW OF HIS WING 

'Neath the shelter of His wing, 
Safe from every mortal harm, 
Where I hear the angels sing, 
There is naught that can alarm. 

By His presence covered o'er, — 
Shielded, cherished, loved, and blest, — 
I can trust forevermore ; 
He will do for me the rest. 

So beneath His sheltering wing 
Every child of His hath care ! 
Shall I need for anything 
When our God is everywhere? 



[83] 



THE NEVER-FAILING SPRING 

There is a spring which never fails ; 
Its waters cool and clear 
Refresh the eye of passer-by, 
E'er glad he came by here. 

The thirsty know its source full well; 
You meet them on the road 
Which traverses the foothills' path: 
Some bear a heavy load. 

Just take the road " Contentment " here 
Where birds build as they sing, 
And out some miles reach Love's staunch stiles 
Where angels are awing ; 

Then in the cleft (turn right, not left) 
You'll find this spring called Truth, 
Whose never-failing waters cool 
All fevered brows, forsooth ! 



[84] 



THOU AND THINE 

But reach forth thine hand in the darkness,- 
I am there, though thou canst not call ; 

But lift up thy thought in thy anguish, — 
I am there to raise if thou fall ! 

But send forth thy trust; it will reach me, — 

I am there, though thou canst not see. 

But give from out all that I give thee ; 

We are one, and must ever be. 



[85] 



BLESSEDNESS 

" To labor and to wait," — 
That is the thing! 
Perhaps there is no goal, 
But if we travel on 
With hope and faith, 
Illuminate the soul 
With loving deeds, 
Sharing our brother's ills 
And woes and needs, — 
Each life were blest 
With blessedness that fills! 



[86] 



SPEAK, LORD! 

A STRIVING soul had reached the goal 

Of the straight and narrow way. 

She told each bead ; and confessed each need 

To the holy priest ; and, pious indeed. 

Prayed ever and ever, day by day: 

" Let me hear Thy voice, as in days of old 

Thou didst speak to the chosen of Thy fold ! " 

She knew the Lord would hear her prayer 

Because she knew the Lord was there ! 

Serene and saintly and steadfast. 

She walked day after day. 

With never a murmur, whate'er the cross. 

She clung to the hope, when tempest tossed. 

That the Lord would speak 

Were she humble and meek ; 

His voice would all repay ! 

Weary and worn with waiting. 
And worn and weary with care, 
The eyes grew dim with watching; 
Frost kissed the youthful hair. 
Still the faithful ear was listening 
For an answer to her prayer! 
Though never a sound woke the stillness, 
She knew the Lord was there. 

At last in the world where crime unfurls, 
As an angel of light she came 
[87] 



To succor and feed in its hour of need 

A babe without a name. 

Soothing a sinful soul to rest, 

She mothered the waif upon her breast ; 

A soul was won and a duty done 

For the God who knoweth best ! 

The Master's voice had called her, 

The Master's love had led; 

A heavenly light unveiled her sight, 

For the Lord now spoke ; and what He said 

Is for you and me, our souls to free : 

" Whatsoever ye do to the least of these, 

Ye have done it unto Me." 

Blest of the Lord, but say your prayer, 
And the Lord will hear ! He is always there ! 



[88] 



LOVE 



THIS, MY HEART-SONG 

As a flower unfolds in the sun, 

My heart opened and grew under your love. 

Its wondrous fragrant petals unfolded one by 

one 
Till its beauty was heralded afar. 

As a star in the morning. 

When all others have faded from the sky. 

Art thou to my worshipping gaze! 

I fear lest the sun may rise 

And make you invisible. 

As a bird singing on a branch before nightfall. 
This, my heart-song, I sing to thee; 
For the sun lowers, — all seeketh shelter ; 
And in the peace of night must my singing cease. 



[91] 



THE FAIRY IN THE LILY 

There's a fairy in the lily 
'Neath the window where I write; 
She wears gorgeous golden dresses 
Set with diamonds, after night; 
There are gauzy wings about her; 
There's a crown of amethyst; 
And white butterflies surround her, 
Bearing cups of silver mist. 

Now the fairy in the lily 
Rings some lovely golden bells 
When the elfins gather 'round her 
From the scented woods and dells. 
Bringing gifts of rarest value 
In their tiny elfin hands, 
Such as you and I but dream of, 
But are known in fairylands. 

There are wishing-wands a-plenty, 
And robes of charity, 
And loving hearts and true hearts, 
And freedom that makes free. 
(Oh, the perfume of white violets 
Grown under mossy tree!) 
There is balm for pain, so perfect 
That a thought of it will cure; 
And a harness for the temper 
That makes perfection sure. 

[92] 



There is mildness, and there's justice, 
And a cure for spite and age. 
And another cure for hatred, 
Still another one for rage ; 
While the gifts of fragrant spices 
From Memory's scented throng 
Are gathered from the heavens, — 
Once to angels did belong. 
They hold blessing for each misery, 
A right for every wrong. 

There's a fairy in the lily, — 
Do you think you know her name 
Who reigns o'er all the elfin band? 
Tell me whence she came ! 

You must confess you cannot guess? 

What is it that we all profess, 
Yet know so little of? 

Why, the fairy in the lily, — 
Ah, the fairy's name is, — Love ! 



[93] 



TO ARCADY 

Where the roads cross, Fates were waiting; 

Here, from choice, each wends their way, 
Traversing the path or by-paths. 

Till all meet at Judgment Day. 

Wealth held out her golden treasure ; 

How it shone, and tempted me ! 
Brimming o'er with extra measure, — 

But, it was not Arcady ! 

Fame approached with honors for me; 

Laurel wreaths bestowed were few ! 
Holding one my brow did covet; 

" Choose, and it may be for you." 

This was quite another pathway; 

Stars, — and immortality ! 
What were these, if heart were pining 

For the joys in Arcady ! 

Here, then, was the path which called me ; 

Babbling brook, and quivering tree ! 
Hand in hand, in daylight wandering ! 

Heart to heart at night with thee ! 

E'en though barefoot, without sandals, 
I took the road to Arcady ! 

[9*] 



FANTASY 

Garlands of roses of every hue, 
Softest zephyrs, and skies of blue. 
Lustrous pearls, and tenderest sighs. 
And laughter, likened to brook's replies, 

Fragrance of attar and jasmine. 
Shady pools where the starlings shine, 
Hope of the May-time, warmth of June, 
Songs of singers awing in tune. 

Fountains where elfins and fairies flit. 
Moon-spun silver where lovers sit; 
All of these things I sense, or see. 
When Madeline says that she loves me ! 



[95] 



FOUNTAIN AND SPRING 

There's a fountain of Youth and of Pleasure, 
At the edge of Life's forest-rim, 
Where seekers e'er throng as they fare along 
To wilds of a wilderness grim. 

From a golden cup, which is lifted up 
By a beautiful goddess. Love, 
We sip and sip, with youth's fevered lip. 
The nectar of gods above. 

All too soon we pass on to the shadows. 
Where we walk with a clear-eyed nun. 
The fringe of the wood, where 'tis understood 
Our journey is just begun. 

When vaster and vaster the forest seems. 
And, lost in its tangled ways. 
We long for the nectar the gods bestowed 
Way back where the fountain plays ; 

But groping ahead through the mazes, 
There is something which seems to sing: 
Lo ! at the foot of the Mountain of Age, 
Is happiness' crystal spring! 



[96] 



FROST-KILLED 

Oh, I have seen the frost-killed flowers that 

bloomed 
But to be nipped and seared upon the stem 
By cruelest blast of winter's icy hand, — 
Not fit to touch a lovely floweret's hem. 

And I have wept, and helped to shield them here ; 
But what were flowers once blighted by the frost ? 
The root may live, — e'en thrive again in 

Spring, — 
But shattered petals, oh, they're lost, — they're 

lost. 



[97] 



UNANSWERED 

I SAID to my heart, " Do I love her ? 
Without her could life be fair? 
Do I hold her dearer than riches, gold ; 
For her could I pass sin's snare? 

" Do I love her more than my freedom ? 
Could I live were she to die? 
Would I rather my heart be trod on 
Than to hear this woman sigh? 

** Could I make her happy, treat her kind? 
Is there any other that I could find 
That could take her place in the world for me? " 
I said to my heart, " Speak truthfully." 



[98] 



IF THOSE WE LOVE DEAREST 

Oh, well if those we love dearest and best 

Can love us too in return ; 

If our efforts for peace on earth they prize, 

Nor overlook nor spurn. 

The flower that shrivelled in frigid blasts 

Would have opened its heart to the sun ; 

Oh, well if those we love dearest and best 

Have loved us, when all is done. 

But, if after the best of tending. 
And after the best of care, 
A bud fails to keep its promise. 
There's a worm in the heart somewhere. 

Be content with doing your duty ; 
With a might do all that is right ; 
Turning your head towards the sunshine. 
Lifting your face to the Light. 
As an adjunct to perfection. 
Accepting both warmth and dew. 
Leaving the blossoming time to God, 
Who plants, and is tending, you. 



[99] 



HEART'S DESIRE 

I GRIEVED as no one ever grieved before, 
And there was no denying that I grieved. 
The sun had shut away his face so long, 
The faded rosebuds drooped and died unleaved. 

As shattered too was I, — oh, my poor heart, — 
Dark clouded o'er with lost-love's mysteries ; 
I wept, — I wept so long my eyes grew dim. 
(The heart knows what no eye on earth e'er 
sees.) 

Now the full tide is gone ; my little craft. 
All battered by the mad sea's angry waves, 
A hulk, rests on the barren sandy shore, — 
E'er and anon but whispering memory laves. 

But when the last sun sinks in this great sea. 
All moulten red where waters catch its fire. 
Out of my broken hulk and masts shall rise 
The full-winged soul of me, — my heart's desire. 



[100] 



THE RESCUE 

I SOUGHT amongst the thorn to find a rose, 
And rescued it from withering on the stem ; 

I plucked the flower from brambles under brush, 
As frost was searing every leaflet's hem. 

What matter if my bruised and bleeding flesh 
Doth quiver thorn-thrust in its smarting 
pain! 

I went among the thorns and saved the rose, 
And I would bear the smarting o'er again ! 



[lOlJ 



ONE 

Should your sweet smile enhancing all life's 

charms 
Be taken from me here, while I live on, 
Joy's day would close for me, — its last sun set. 
Thy smile is ever like the new day's dawn. 

Should your fond heart, which holds my little 

world, 
Cease, by death's mandate, here its warmth to 

shed. 
Life's hope, life's love, for me, would die that 

day; 
And though I were alive, — I would be dead. 



[102] 



THE VAGRANT HEART 

A MEAL on any doorstep, 
And I must wander on ; 

For something ever calls me 
To seek a fairer dawn. 

Restless and unabiding, 

I must unfettered be ; 
Connubial joys or fireside 

Were never meant for me. 

No fairer doth the whisper 

Roll in from off the sea 
Than freedom echoes in my heart,- 

" At least be free — be free ! " 



[103] 



LOVE'S MEASURE 

If adversity should throw its pall across her 

happiness, 
And poverty's wan hand clutch at her silken 

loveliness, 
If friends should all forsake her, and leave her 

desolate 
In life's lonely doubtful shadows, an hungered 

e'er to wait, — 
Would you follow the example of the sheep who 

scorn and fear? 
Would you grasp her hand, and weep for her a 

tender human tear? 
No matter what the world said, or how shabbily 

she dressed. 
Would you know whatever happened, she had 

done her very best? 
If the ways her footsteps wandered seemed to 

be the paths of sin. 
Would you open wide the portals of your heart, 

and take her in ? 



[104] 



THE PATHWAY 

On the pathway of Life, 

Where the dewy flowers spring, 
And the mellow song melts 

From a bird on the wing, 
(A golden-winged thing,) 
I met with a lassie 

With large earnest eyes. 
Going back where I'd come from. 

Where human hope dies. 
Though she thought what she sought 
Was paradise ! 

I longed so to tell her 

No flowers would she find. 

No song of a bird. 

No voice that was kind. 

But the moan and the groan 
Of a cold, wintry wind! 

But she traveled so fast 

As she hurried past. 
She hardly saw me 

As I trembled before her; 
For all she would be. 

And all that I saw. 
That she could not see. 

Thus we meet on the Pathway, 

[105] 



The eddying throng, 
Surging along, 
To the right 
And the wrong! 
I'm waiting here ; but oh, where is she. 
Whom I met in the way 
As I tarried that day 
Where the dewy flowers sprung 
And the golden-bird sung? 



[106] 



LIFE'S ROSARY 

Sometimes it is some tender song 
Which sets my heart astir, 

And flashes to both brain and cheek 
Fond memories of her. 

Perhaps the fragrance of a rose, 

Or gathered violets. 
Will play such havoc in my heart, 

Which thrives, — but ne'er forgets ! 

I count the hours of happiness 
Sped by on angels' wings. 

And hear again the whispered words 
With which my heart still sings. 

One word recalls the days gone by, — 
Those happy days with you. 

A sigh e'er brings me to your side, — 
Just as it used to do. 

All life is but a rosary 

Of thoughts which must recur. 
So long as love means memory 

Of sacred hours with her. 



[107] 



THE ATTIC ROOM 

At the top of the stairs that wind and wind, 
There's a bare little room that I call mine ; 
The street it is drear, and there's not much 

cheer 
Has crept up the stairs for many a year, — 
Only Fear, and no one dear. 
Since Love hurried down them 
They've called me queer, all about here. 
Though I live in quiet when cannons boom. 
At the top of the stairs in my attic room. 

In my attic room, where none can see. 

No fire glows but love for thee ! 

My soul is fed on memory ! 

O dearest Heart, you once loved me ! 

Though palace walls were offered free. 

In my attic room I'd choose to be. 

For, my angel Love, it once held thee ! 

The world is chill, and there's nothing to fill 
Your place in my life, and nothing will ! 
So I care for the love you tried to kill, 
And it goes on loving, and loving you still ! 
Your lips said " Never," but I presume 
To keep on weaving at Love's sweet loom, 
Where, should you come back, there is always 

room. 
At the top of the stairs in my attic room ! 

[108] 



AS IN A WOOD 

And so it is we walk along life's way, 

Companioned, yet alone ; 

Else, longing for the one who should be ours, — 

No other would we own. 

Thus, few there are, who live as it was meant; 

Ay, fewer still are those here understood : 

We reach the end of mortal journeying. 

Lost, most of us, to love, as in a wood. 



[109] 



HEARTBEATS 

The calling of the herdsman at the sunset ; 
The lowing of the cattle as they roam ; 
The flicker of a candle in a window, 
Which beckons weary toilers coming home. 

The evening star that trembles thru the twilight ; 
The first spring-flower that blossoms on the 

heath ; 
The pulsing warmth of lover's glances meeting; 
A virgin in her bridal robe and wreath. 

A singer's note that's flung above the turmoil; 
The silent nun-like moon in heaven's blue ; 
The soft warm rain in benediction falling; 
The first and the last glimpse of You. 



[110] 



HEART'S GOLD 

If little sorrows steal away the joy 

Of life's pure gold, — adding alloy 

To that rare metal, — (men must dig to find) 

Treasured and envied by all mankind: 

And we will let the little wrong and fret 

Play havoc with the heart's pure golden store, 

There'd soon be but the baser metal left. 
E'en to the bright heart's core. 

If little worries take their root within, 
They grow and grow, till all akin 
To peace (the rarest flower that life can hold) 
Is choked, as gardens are by weeds o'ergrown. 

And when we look one day for flowers, heart's 

gold. 
We find that life is bare, — we do not own 
A single joy that is not tinged or worse. 
And we caused all this curse ! 



[Ill] 



FROM WHENCE 

The days when love had walked with thee, 
Enkindling in thy heart a flame, 
Ye spent as spendthrifts spend their gold. 
And jeered at mention of love's name. 

These nights when ye would embrace love, 

Ye call all vainly on her now; 

And it is she who ridicules 

To think you could recall her vow. 

For love thou mayest chide or curse ; 
But sneering shouldst thou call her name. 
She'll leave thee, ne'er to be thine more. 
And seek God's heaven, from whence she came. 



[112] 



FATE 

We met upon the dusty street 

That leads from Kent to Warwicktown ; 

To view her bonnet was a treat, 

So sweet and neat her ruffled gown. 

She passed me by with scarce a glance; 
I turned around, and so did she; 
She blushed, — and how her eyes did dance ! 
I stopped, — she only laughed at me. 

And passed adown the dusty street 
That leads from Kent to Warwicktown. 
How is it still my heart doth beat? 
Why must the fates on me so frown? 

Even her name I do not know. 
Nor where her home, nor where to seek 
This face which haunts and haunts me so. 
Could I but find her, would I speak? 

Has Fate this way of playing tricks? 
As meeting on this life's highway. 
The prize our hearts and eyes doth fix. 
For aye to snatch the thing away ? 

To think I passed Her on the way 
That leads from Kent to Warwicktown: 
Ended my quest, begun that day 
She blushed and laughingly glanced down. 
[113] 



A SINGLE FLOWER 

So, if you find along life's pathway here 
A single flower that bloomed for you, dear, 
And you have plucked with tender, reverent 

touch 
A blossom that hath blest you overmuch, — 
Oh, treasure, for the sake of summer-days. 
And fragrances soul-gathered and unlost. 
The fragile thing which made your heart to sing, 
Until the end, no matter what it cost ! 



[114] 



LOVE'S ECHO 

Within Youth's glen I stood alone, 
And heard Love's echo at the dawn. 
The full strong voice which called to me, 
Sang out : " Come on ! Come on ! " 

Which way ? To south ? To north ? To east ? 
Yea, here the sun was shining! 
Thus I set out, led by a voice. 
And rosy cloud with silver lining! 

As ever on and on I trudged. 
The birds were singing o'er me ; 
I saw the gleam of many a stream 
And fertile lands before me! 

The sun rose high ; 'twas overhead ; 
How could they speak of hopes all dead! 
With golden noon, aye, faith was nigh; 
" Come on ! Come on ! " it said ! 

The sun sank low, but toward the east 
Love's echo was still calling; 
I saw the opal banners flung, 
I knew that night was falling! 

Tomorrow will the same sun rise. 
The same hope live with dawning? 
Tomorrow will the echo call. 
And find me servile, fawning? 
[115] 



'Tis night. I'll rest my seeking heart; 
A-wearied, I shall sleep 
Until the dawn my eyelids ope; 
There is no use to weep. 



[116] 



DON'T LET ME KNOW 

If you have lost control of that fine source 
From which life's bounteous gifts doth overflow, 
And in some maelstrom, eddying downward 

swift. 
Deceive me, and don't ever let me know. 

If you have ceased to love me as of yore, 
Oh, never wound this heart that's loved you so ; 
For broken-winged I nevermore could soar : 
Pretend, — deny, — yes, lie ! Don't let me know. 



[117] 



THE JOYS OF LIVING 

The joys of living, numberless and blessed, 
Outweigh the grief and sadness we have known ; 
But light of wing we let them pass unnoticed. 
While grief we hug to heart and call our own. 

Could we but know our wondrous possessions. 
Before the weed neglect has them o'ergrown. 
The flowers of love we'd keep forever blooming, 
The wings of joy we'd clip ere it has flown! 



[118] 



CHILDLESS 

No tiny arms that cling, 

No wee voice calling, 
No baby's rose-leaf cheek 

Pressed close to rest, 
No wondrous mother-love 

To make me selfless. 
No worth-while love 

Enduring in my breast. 

No blessing that the world's gold cannot pur- 
chase ; 
Forgiveless, but the one known all divine ; 
No lisping prayer; no pattering footsteps fol- 
lowing ; 
No little child ever can I call mine. 



[119] 



THE TREASURE TRAY 

In a treasure-tray of a trinket-place, 

With a faded rose, and some yellow lace, 

A baby's curl, and a wee bootie, — 

I'll revel and gladden the heart of me. 

And travel a distance back through time, 

Where life meant laughter, and song, and rhyme. 

And I lock the door and am all alone 
With the heart of a maiden each has known. 
The packet bound with a satin string, — 
A baby-sacque, such a little thing, 
A tin-type faded, but still it's you ; 
A frame, with its lover's-knot of blue. 

Oh, why did I come today in here, 

For these are dead — what's that — a tear ? 

No, they are not dead ; love never dies : 

A knock on the door — quick, dry your eyes ! 



[120] 



THE PEARL'S LEGEND 

A VIRGIN dreamt of sacrifice ; 

Holiest attribute of life. 

Tears of resignation meek, 

Moistened her unsullied cheek, 

Till guardian angels kissed them away 

Into perfect glistening pearls of white. 

(Thus rare unselfish tears to the sight.) 

A virgin dreamt of holy love. 

Such as is known in heaven above. 

Tears of joy fell from her sleeping eyes, 

Till guardian angels came from the skies, 

And kissed each one 

Into a pearl like the rising sun. 

Flushed as the dawn, so pink. 

(The hue of a maiden's cheek. 

When first on love she thinks.) 

A virgin dreamt of the love that stains. 

And is never, never white again ; 

When she wept and sobbed, in great unrest, 

Till a pitying angel her wet cheek pressed. 

And left a shining orb of black: 

(The tint of sin one can never take back !) 



[121] 



MEME CHOSE 

Hearts do not differ, dearie ; 

They are, aye will be, the same. 
Each heart has been bold and cheery 

And grieved, if it's worth the name! 

Each heart has a secret, dearie; 

And holds its own mystery ! 
Never one yet but was teary. 

Whether 'twere bound or free ! 

Though you are weeping sadly, 
(You need not tell me why). 

Some day we'll laugh together. 

O'er this day when you wished to die ! 

One time I felt as you do ; 

And called all the world to blame: 
For lovers don't differ, dearie, 

They are, aye will be, the same! 

One of the heart's deep secrets. 
And one mine remembers yet. 

Is the mystery of love forgotten, 
I knew I could never forget! 



[122] 



THE SECRET 

No burden is too great for us to bear, 
Though it may be of loss, affliction, care; 
Then shoulder yours, and as you onward fare 
Know there's a reason why it was placed there. 

There is a little story of a brook 
Which harbored, in a far-sequestered nook, 
A treasure that was lost in Happyland, 
By lovers straying on its shining sand. 

A storm (a quarrel), a gale (words), then a 

torrential rain (tears). 
When eddying currents swelled the brook again, 
And found the treasure in its stagnant place 
And carried it on to its former place. 

This treasure that I speak of, — it was love ; 

The brook was life ; the lovers, he and. I. 

I only tell the secret in this place 

That you may e'en your own lost treasure trace. 



[123] 



ELAINE 

The sun hath shone in splendour 
All the glorious June day, 
While friends in kind endeavor 
Would chase heart-gloom away ; 
The day hath been all profitless, 
Tliough friends and glories be, 
Because such love and loveliness 
I could not share with thee. 

The night flings out her banners 

'Cross heaven's silver-sea, 

Summer's enticing fragrances 

Allure, enrapturing me ; 

But by my side thy place is not. 

And every whispering tree, 

Methinks, calls forth, " Elaine, Elaine,- 

And oh, how I miss thee. 



[1^4] 



BLISS OF A DAY 

Buss of a day, — span of a winged thing, 

E'en is the love that poets sing! 

Soaring on high, sipping the honeyed bough. 

Glint of yon Cupid's wing ! 

"A jug of wine, and thou," 

Were all his need today ! 

But pay no heed ; 

" Stale as old ale." 

When banqueted, his creed ! 

Bliss of a day, — e'en love that poets sing. 

Ah, sure enow! 



[125] 



CHARM 

A FLICKERING sunbeam on the garden wall ; 

Jewel-pearls within the lily tall; 

A drooping eye-lid, quivering with love; 

At set of sun, a lonely star above. 

A trembling lover in the silence still; 

A bird's song wafted o'er the window-sill ; 

A zephyr ; a child's sigh ; 

Some maidens when they smile, 

Some when they cry. 

Young things new-born; 

The unawakened morn; 

All tenderness, — 

All life worth while, — 

Has charm. 



[126] 



THE YOKE 

To love, and forgive ; 
To bear, and forbear ; 
To trust, nor suspicion; 
To help, and to share ; 
To speed, nor to hinder ; 
To plan, and to build; 

These rules are for marriage 
With happiness filled. 



[127] 



MOTHERHOOD 

Oh, ponder all these things, and well, 
And keep them silent in thine heart ; 
The mysteries of God ye find 
In finding motherhood's true part. 

" The Lord giveth " this gift to thee; 
Oh, bow thy head, and silence keep. 
Of all God's mysteries new life 
The vastest is, — and deep, so deep. 



[128] 



SCENT OF A FLOWER 

As the fountain sends forth unceasing its crystal 

water, 
This little flower pours from its heart perfume, 
Flinging its essence, as a ring spreads on the 

waters, 
And who shall say if it doth end with death? 
As uncomplaining doth its task perform. 
Accepting variations of the wind and weather, 
It holds and carries its rare blessing. 
E'en with the worm in its velvet bosom. 

Like to the scent of this flower, so thy sweet 
nature 

Hath blest without complaint thy surroundings ; 

And with thy love, undying as its fragrance. 

Has many a heart been cheered, beyond thy 
knowing. 

Thy body, as its velvet petals, is so fair. 

I see thee in life's garden, in youth's morning, 

O'erpearled with virgin dew, — with God ex- 
pressed. 

Unfit am I to touch the hem of You ; 

Were I a zephyr, I might rest upon your breast. 



[129] 



BELATED 

You bring her roses to-night, 

And lay them upon her breast ; 

But the hour when their fragrance 

Would soothe her is past; 

And the hands that would eagerly clasp them, 

Are folded and still and at rest. 

At rest, with the heart underneath them, 
That served in its castle so faithful and well; 
Though broken its hopes, and shattered its 

dreams. 
Far beyond words to tell. 

So your roses must die, just as she did; 

Their beauty and sweetness unknown, — 

As wifehood's rare virtues were wasted when 

laid 
At the shrine of a heart that was stone. 



[130] 



MY GIRL 

No wealth of gold was hers, 

'Cept shining coils of sunny hair! 
No silken garments whispered as she moved 
Or came or went e'en anywhere ; 
But the finches knew, 
And every flower that grew, 
That she was there ! 

No modiste made her gowns. 

So plain she dressed; 
No artist painted nature she possessed! 
All graced by loveliness. 
She never guessed 
This day she hath blest me. She's mine! 
And I am blest. 



[131] 



GOSSAMER 

So fine and dainty was she spun, this maid, 
And of such workmanship, as a web laid 
Upon some dewy rose before sun-rise 
Hath marred this nature's wonder-flower: 
The frailty which lasts but for an hour. 

Flower o' Morn, O gossamer fine-spun, 

1 would thou wert the same at set of sun. 
The blasting heat that on thy head must fall. 
Or blight, frost, canker-worm, — is known by all. 



[1S2] 



THE WIND'S MESSAGE 

The wind on my casement whispers 
To a flower that would bend, to lean 
On the cold, unquivering moonbeam's breast. 
So calm in its silvery sheen ! 

In trust she confided to us 

The message it brought her was this : 

" lovely rose ! Every wind that blows knows 

Thou were meant for the sunbeam's kiss ! " 



[133] 



ONLY GOD KNOWETH 

Not that I cannot live without thee, — 

I shall live on. 

If the soul thou hast afflicted 

Shall rise higher than it could with thee, — 

If the love thou hast murdered in the breast of 

me 
Shall return in spirit unhampered. 
And with shining wings, 
To lift mj heart and soul above the need of 

thee, — 
Only God knoweth. 

Not that I cannot live without thee, — 

Life knows not death. 

That which thou hast thrust through 

And thrown aside to die. 

Is a part of Him Who recalleth His own 

To His infinite bosom. 

Where love is, and peace 

Only God knoweth. 



[ia4] 



A FRIEND 

Along the hard, rough road of life, 

I met a friend. 

One that was true ; 

And all the way I blest that blessed day 

That I found you! 

At last, when life must close its book. 
And I pass on to that new dawn, — 
Tho' friendships there be neither rare nor few,- 
First, first, dear, I'll seek you. 



[135] 



THE MANDATE 

To dictate to the heart what it must do, 
How it shall shun the false and love the true, 
Were easier commanded than have done. 
The heart is its own mandate 'neath the sun. 

Forever, while it pulses, must its fire 

Be mortal ; but one spark is there, entire 

Divinity within the human heart. 

And this is love, from which it cannot part. 

This little spark may grow, and e'en enflame 
The hillside steeps, where worshipped is love's 

name ; 
Or, smothered, by the refuse of the mind. 
No growth or quarter in the soul may find. 

When love dictates, the heart throbs ever true ; 
Then will it guide, console, and succor you. 
You cannot tell your heart what it shall do ; 
But tend love's flame, blessings will not be few. 



[136] 



ONE DEAR NAME 

" Write," said the angel ; " now take up thy 
pen 
And tell of greed and wicked lust for gain, 
Which, fostering nature's hate, gnaws hearts of 
men, 
And must, so long as brother-love doth wane." 

'* Dear angel," then said I, " that is a task 
I needs must leave for those of greater power ; 

My heart aches and is full, my eyes overflow ; 

I grieve, and weep, ah ! I mourn so 

For all the war's great loss, and this sad 
hour. 

" But pass me by ; these tears I cry 
Unfit me for the envied task you set ; 

A woman's eyes view past, far past, war's 
game. 
Through lists of wounded, captured, missing, 
dead, — 
They search from morn till night for one 
dear name. 

" That, tho' the nations may e'en rise or fall. 
Or captured prize of war may those enthrall 
Who look for war's last final victory, 
Means gain or loss while I must live, — to me." 

[137] 



FUTILITY 

There is no life, whate'er it held of sweetness, 

But hath its vain regrets ; 
No heaven on earth, but knows some incomplete- 
ness, 

Since human heart forgives, but ne'er forgets. 

There is no heart, however loved or cherished, 

But hath its weight of care ; 
There is no union, but some fair hope perished. 

Whose ghost haunts memory's stair. 



[138] 



FADED LEAVES 

Those days when long ago you walked with me 
Beside the purling stream that found its way 
Out to the sapphire lake where white-winged 

craft 
Made pleasurable the torrid tropic day, — 

We little thought but that our destinies 
Were bound together, e'en as that clear 

stream, — 
For when fond lovers walk thus hand in hand, 
They chide whoever says love is a dream 

Of youth, and sunny-hours, and summer-days. 
Which fade as summer-flowers fade with the 

frost ; 
Though it may cling as e'en the last sweet rose 
When blighted, soon the petals must be lost. 

Thus I recall to-day love's summer day ; 

Its peaceful stream, which flowed to the great 

sea. 
I hold the faded leaves of frost-killed bloom 
Which died when last the winter came for me. 



[139] 



CUPID'S STAGE SETTING 

'Neath a leafy bower where the sunshine sifts 
Through the lacy boughs where the vines en- 
twine, 
Where the golden rays with the shadow plays 
Tag, near the patches of bright sunshine. 
Where the wintergreen wears her coral crown, 
And Canada thistle's fairy down 
Sends messages out by the summer wind. 
Bringing butterflies home, — all they can find, — 
To the brake by the lake near the lily pool, 
Where the wood is dense and the mosses cool, 

I found the one I had sought for years. 
To share my joj^s, and dry my tears. 
And the stage was set by the god of love. 
From the sighing breeze to the skies above. 

How I bless the day I was led that way, 
And permitted the hero's part to play 
'Neath a leafy bower, where the sunshine sifts 
Through the lacy boughs where the leaves en- 
twine, 
Else never would I be writing this, — 
And you, old girl, would not be mine. 



[140] 



SHURE 

'Tis not the nade ov friendship, Kate, — 
I've manny a frind an' true, — 

'Tis hungerin' for somethin' I can't relate. 
An' this somethin', Kate, means you. 

'Tis not I'm sick, — I don't crave food, — 
I'm full to the brim and more, 

'Tis a lover's heart that's in this mood. 
An' bubblin', Kate, to the core ! 

'Tis not the love of a poor man, Kate, 
For manny's the rich would live 

The half ov their lives, an' life itself. 
For the love that's mine to give. 

'Tis not that I'd ask to have you, Kate ; 

If ye had no heart for me ; 
I'd rather move on, an' out o' the state. 

If ye couldn't see mine to be. 

'Tis the starvin' an' manly heart ov me 
That's hopin' ye can say yes ! 

I'll lave ye a bit till ye think it o'er ; 

Shure, I don't want ye, Kate, to guess. 



[141] 



COMING HOME 

Then rest a bit, and bide a wee, 

The old place welcomes you; 
I wondered why such flowers bloomed, 

As never wont to do. 

They felt that you were coming home ; 

They wear their lovely best, 
To welcome you to the old hearth. 

And bid you bide and rest. 

The beauteous earth is washed so clean. 

Refreshed by heaven's rain ; 
It must have seen you coming home. 

To be with us again. 

Your faithful dog out at the gate, 

Sat all of yesterday ; 
He scented your home-coming, too ; 

They say dogs have this way. 

Then rest a bit, and bide for aye. 

No past 'tween me and you ; 
I've kept your place through all the years ; 

Women are mostly true. 



[142] 



A TOAST 

Fill up the glass, 
My pretty lass, 

'Tis you whom I adore! 
If on life's sea. 
Thus one spoke me, 

I could not wish for more ! 

Then here's to love. 
That from above 

I sent to warm the heart! 
If it can be 
You're not for me, 

God bless thee when we part. 



[143] 



A LOVER'S GIFTS 

Oh, let me weave a floweret chain for you ; 

Anemones, forget-me-nots so blue, 

And rarest flowers all fragrant will I take. 

To weave a lovely garland for your sake. 

(First, give me pansies, they're for thoughts ; 

Remembrance, yea, forget-me-nots; 

And fetch me lilies, purity ; 

And then roses, as sweet as thee.) 

Oh, let me forge a golden chain for you ; 

And string the rarest gems, — but these would 

do, — 
For this my strand or coronet for thee, 
I'd make so you would world-wide envied be. 
(I'll choose two rubies, like your lips. 
Pearls, like the sails of Cupid's ships. 
Then sapphires deep and blue, a few. 
And diamonds, plentiful as dew, 
An Irish emerald or two. 
And here's a coronet for you.) 

Oh, let me sing my humble songs for you ; 
But sit apart, alone, the lights subdue, — 
My heart would gather in master's refrain, — 
To bring you peace through a world's strife and 

pain ! 
(If every world were like this, 
And I could always have the kiss 

[144] 



Of just one maid, — one maid I know, — 
Oh, I would go through worlds of years 
To keep her faith, to dry her tears ; 
This, — this I'd do, — were this maid you.) 



[145] 



ONCE IN A WHILE 

Once in a while, 
The things I meant to do slip by, 
And I go back and loiter 
Where " Comin' through the Rye " 
Was sung by Her, in those old days. 
So long ago they're most forgotten, 
Except by us, of loyalty begotten. 

Once in a while, 
I think I see Her smile. 
As I'm watching you, my dear ; 
Those little corners queer, 
That turn up so, with dimples near, 
Are just like Her ; so free of guile ! 
Don't mind me, if I stare, — 

Once in a while. 



[146] 



ENRICO'S SERENADE 

Beneath yon lattice window, where 
The frail white jessamine blooms, 

Frame milady's watching face, 
Midst bridal flower perfumes. 

Enrico, with his mandolin. 
Pours forth his suit in song. 

While breathless, we who listen, would 
His serenade prolong. 

" My heart like a bird doth flutter 

Whene'er you pass my way! 
I long for words to utter 

All that my heart would say. 
But timid as a birdling 

That knows not how to fly, 
I just make a beginning 

When you have passed me by ! " 

(The lattice casement opens ; 

I see milady smile 
As tho' he thought 'twere news to her ; 

She knew it all the while.) 

" No one could teach me how to love, 
Or choose words I would say ; 

No one could lead me further, dove. 
Than you could, yes, today! 

[147] 



Oh, could I speak and tell thee all, — 
Open thy casement, pray, — 

For my heart like a bird doth flutter 
Whene'er you pass my way ! " 



[148J 



THE CALL 

In cheerfulness she walked life's path alone. 
From her red lips not one had heard a moan 
For all that fate might have vouchsafed to her ; 
Nor bj an act did she censure incur. 

Hers was the mother-heart, born to create ; 
Yet childless must she die ; for never mate 
Had come to woo in youth's full yearning years : 
The tide went out, and no one knew her tears. 

She walks life's path alone. But those who see 
Her a wee babe enfold so eagerly. 
And note the quivering eyelids fill and fall, 
Know one mother is here who missed the call. 



[14.9] 



TO THEE 

The plash of an oar, 

Keeping time to a song, 

Sent quivering through the night ; 

The moon's wide boulevard on the sea, 

Spread down by its silvery light! 

The flash of a thought. 

Keeping pace with a heart, 

A heart that is thine, and the heart of me ; 

But call from the moon, and its path I'll take, 

Though I walk alone 'cross the sea to thee ! 



[ISO] 



THE SOUL KNOWETH ITS OWN 

As flitting waves of sunlight on the wall, 
Is my heart when thoughts of you pass. 
As a bird-note in the forest of life 
Is your foot-fall. 

Hushed is the clamor and vain-striving 

When you enter; 

For the soul knoweth its own. 

Thou dost soothe with they presence 

As sleep resteth and restoreth. 

Full is my heart of thy sunshine ; 
Filled is ray soul with thy benediction. 
To pray, must I but look on thee 
With gratitude inexpressible. 



[151] 



LOVE MISERS 

If deep within your heart, you'd let me see, 
And I found there no likeness, dear, of me, 
I'd praise you for your kindness evermore, 
That you had taken me past your heart's door. 

If day by day you hide yourself away. 
And give naught, or receive naught, then I say 
You are a miser, whose heart's treasury 
Is emptied, or e'en squandered, it may be. 

Oh, there are misers who aye hold their gold: 

And these despised are by all menfold ; 

But he who hoards, nor gives love's precious 
store. 

Be burdened by love's lack or weight forever- 
more. 



[152] 



FROM " THE MISSION OF THE ROSE " 

When life, most over, and our fading days 
Recall the shattered rose on life's pathways, 

May every year a rose-petal be, — 
Bounteous blessing in its fragrance 
May every breath recall some memory 

So sweet, so lovely, as the rose, of you and me. 

To do, and doing all, to do our best. 
This is of every human life the test : 
If so we live, we need not fear to die ; 
The God who made the Rose for us. 
Hath planned the rest. 

We can all dream our dreams. 

But there's one ne'er forgot ; 
Dream of youth, dream of love, 

Same in palace or cot. 
And who shall say here, 

Ah, really, who knows 
But Dreamland is reached 

By the heart of a rose. 



[153] 



AFFINITY 

Another day we'll walk a different way ; 
It cannot stay for aye, this sweet young May ! 
No more could human hearts always be gay, 
Or summer's sun reflect a golden ray. 

Another day we'll know what's best to say ; 
Then strength I'll find, perhaps, to say thee nay 
When hope is dead, and joys decay. 
Then will we pay the price, if we must pay. 

Another day we'll go to Him and lay our burdens 

down; 
Another day we'll think upon the thorny crown ; 
Today the tears press so to drown my heart. 

Another day a new life we will start ; 
Another day we will be strong to part ; 
Choosing the narrow way 
We will forget another day ; 
But, oh, my own ! Not yet ! 

And thus they walked and waited, — yea for aye ; 
Time passed thus swiftly winged along the way ; 
Today's sun fled into its golden nest. 
Tomorrow's parting promise on its breast! 
Another day sank low into the west ; 
Another day would dawn just like the rest. 

[154] 



A VISION OF A MAIDEN 

There's a vision of a maiden 

That haunts my dreams at night, 

Till I cannot banish from me 

The rare and hallowed sight; 

And I wonder where she comes from, — 

If at all she lives by day. 

I am always searching for her, 

'Fraid to frighten her away ! 

I cannot say if short or tall, 

Or dark or fair, this maid be; 

I only know by her calm look 

She truly is a lady. 

Bred with all the inborn grace 

That shines from out a high-souled face. 

In hour of pain, which none might see, 

I'm confident she'd pray for me. 

Her heart is young and free from taint ; 

She is saintly, yet no saint ; 

With all purity of feature. 

An honest child of nature ; 

A good, but human creature, 

In gentleness forgiving, she, 

For any human frailty. 

A ringing laugh, and eyes that quaff 
The warmth of every look of mine, 

[155] 



That binds us nearer, dearer, 
Has my dream-idol lady 
(Who never could be shady). 

This maid is full a woman grown, — 
Than on the earth no kinder ; 
In every dream she visits me ; 
I vow that I shall find her. 
For I would quickly plight my vow, 
A happier, better man than now. 

This shadow-maiden in my mind 
Spurs me on to seek and find 
The living image of my dreams. 
No one knows but I, it seems. 
If indeed I cannot find her 
And my dream can ne'er come true, 
I will treasure still my ideal. 
For I know her like is few. 



[156] 



ETHICAL 

HE 

If in your heart of hearts you look and see 
No other love but that you claim for me, 
And you can look deep in my eyes and say 
That for my sake you'd walk the thorny way, 
Forsaking all the world, you would be mine, — 
Then am I thine, indeed ; then am I thine. 

SHE 

If through your life you gaze, and speaking 

truth. 
Can swear there has been no one else, forsooth. 
You sought in love, through all the years of 

youth, — 
And you can show me a certificate 
That will affirm in virtue you did wait 
To claim me yours this way, — you'll do first 

rate. 



[157] 



THE MOUNTAIN TRAIL 

At the end of the road, where paths divide, 
And we must go on, or turn aside. 
We paused, looking back from where we come; 
The pitfalls and gullies surprised us some. 

And we wondered how we had never slipped. 
Become entangled, or stalled, or tripped 
On a way uneven, rocky and rough; 
We must have been of the fibre tough ! 

At the end of the road, where paths divide. 
And the fields spread out, fair, far and wide, 
We must part, for I take the mountain trail. 
While you gather wild flowers, pale and frail. 

When the sun has set, and the day is done. 
Mayhap we'll meet and the paths be one ! 
While I scale the trail up the narrow track, 
And think of you, as I must look back, 
I'll hope that the flowers in the morning dew 
With fragrance fresh are repaying you. 



[158] 



THE FIRST STONE 

Some said it was a shame that nevermore could 

be lived down; 
Faults and mistakes alone were gems in error's 

crown. 
But some said, by this step then she shall rise ; 
It doth remain but for the One to judge where 

the guilt lies. 

Some said, but come away; 

She's made her bed, so let her lie, — 
Sinners must live apart from us until they die; 

But some said stones are flung and hearts are 
wrung ! 

Poor Magdalenes along the way ! 

If Christ were here with his command. 

E'en no more could be bruised today ! 



[159] 



THE THORNLESS ROSE 

Ah, many a one walks here who doth but seek 
To hold his own, one without blemish weak; 
Though all imperfect as we must see him, 
But perfect flower could his own lapel trim ! 

As though he sought a thornless rose, I vow ; 
(And thornless roses aren't growing now.) 
For those demanding flowers without a flaw, 
Their thorns are many; sharpest I e'er saw. 



[160] 



RECALLED 

The call of thrush and whippoorwill, 

In whatever land you be, 
Brings back to mind some other clime 

Or welcome memory ! 

The sea calls to its restless breast 

Many who call it home, 
Some no contentment ever know. 

Save near its voice and foam ! 

The spring calls forth all tenderness 

In youth and age as well, 
And calling, ever calling, is 

Its spell we long to tell ! 

The human heart hath memories 

Of days since long ago. 
Which speak through Time of ecstasy. 

And radiant after-glow. 

And make their calls in Memory's halls 

All echoes of delight, 
I just recalled the cigarette 

That burned my cheek that night ! 



[161] 



THE BALKING MUSE 

Oh, sing me a song that is brave and gay, — 
Some lilting and cheerful minstrel lay, 
For I am worn with the work of day. 
And the sorrows of life I would put away ; 
Oh, sing me a song that is brave and gay ! 

But my muse said, " Nay ; 

I'll not sing this way ! 

Never sing I for gold or pay ; 

No song know I that is grave and gay! 

Nay, nay ; I say, nay, nay ! " 

Oh, sing me a song for a breaking heart, 
'Tis the heart of me that is aching so ; 
Attune your lyre for grief entire. 
For the days may come and the days may go 
E'er this love of mine will again aspire ! 

But my muse said, " Hey, 

'Tis a jolly day! 

Oh, come with me to the land of play. 

I've funny and funnier things to say, 

Hey, hey ; I say, hey, hey ! " 



[162] 



THE POET'S ATTIC 

Hush ! Come to the top of the stairs with me, 
And see where a poet makes poetry ! 
There is no fire, and there is no part 
Of anything like a Cupid's dart! 
They say he carries these in his heart. 
'Tis cold, and bare! But to him 'tis fair, 
For angels always are singing there. 

So we tip-toed up: Beware! Have care! 
(We heard him singing " Robin Adair.") 
He left, at last, down the rickety stair, 
When we stole in, and found this written there: 

Oh, days that are gone ! 

Oh, days to be ! 
To see her eyes 

As the child's I see ! 
Reproach for neglect. 

And cruelty! 

O love, come back 

From the dead to me ! 

O love, come back! 

Life is death without thee. 
As every breath of the wind through the trees 
Stirs my soul in its constant memories ! 



[163] 



Come back ! Come back ! 

Else I come to thee! 
For life, without you, 

Is death to me. 



[164] 



LYRICS 



THE HARP OF MANY STRINGS 
PRELUDE 

The heart is a harp of many strings ; 

It flings its note of joy on summer winds 

And finds the stars ! And glories in their sky ! 

Its sigh, or wailing notes of woe, 

In minor chords deeply flow ; 

And carrying messages of fate, 

In clarion notes break forth 

In peals of bliss or hate ! 

And ever swept by unrelenting hand, 

Discord or music makes, by stern command! 

Harp of my heart ! I bid thee solace seek 

For the humble and the meek! 

Oh, send thy music forth in helpful strain ! 

With other hearts accord, and soothe their pain ! 

But, if no need of thee, — since naught is lost, 

And all 's of Him a part, — 

I bid thy simple notes return again 

Unto my waiting heart ! 



[167] 



IMMORTELLE 

Past every human heart to know or measure; 

Beyond the ken of mortals e'er to share ; 
I reckon every thought of my lost treasure ; 

I count the memories o'er, beyond compare. 

Oh, speak not of the love that's soothed, or 
falters, 

Oh, tell me not of idle, vain regret ! 
I miss her, as the earth would miss the sunshine ! 

I loved her ; and my heart cannot forget. 



[168] 



MY HEART AND I 

My heart and I such comrades are, 

We travel, aye, from star to star, 

And forge together, through stormy weather, 

My heart and I ! 

My heart and I ! 

Sometimes we rise on golden clouds. 
High, high, e'en to the sky ! 
And wandering through castles in Spain 
We fain would not come back again. 

My heart and I ! 

My heart and I ! 

At eventide, on moonbeams bright. 
We travel, — travel through the night, 
And watch the angels sprinkle dew. 
And paint the violets white and blue. 
And then we get a glimpse of you. 
High in the sky. 

My heart and I ! 

My heart and I! 



[169] 



REVERIE 

(An answer to " The Rosary ") 

If every hour I spent with thee, 
Strung on a golden thread could be, 
No jewels rare a king might wear 
Could with my jewel hours compare! 

If every tear I shed for thee, 
Into a pearl could changed be, — 
And garnered in fair treasury, — 
No wealth of earth, nay, land or sea. 
Could e'er surpass my tears for thee. 

If every cross for thee I'd bear. 

Unto the sky could lifted be, 

Mine, — only mine, — this loss, this cross ; 

Such is this love of mine for thee, for thee ! 



[170] 



AS OF YORE 

Every leaf upon the thicket spoke of you ; 
The old rowboat and the wicket spoke of you ; 
The pet lambs and the clover, 
And the daisies that spread over 
Every hillside of the hamlet, 
Spoke of you. 

Every bird within the woodland spoke of you ; 
Till my heart leaped in this good land, dear, for 

you, 
And I dreamed we were at play, 
And it seemed but yesterday 
That I heard you sigh and say, 
" Of course I do." 



[171] 



CHASING THE RAINBOW 

A LASSIE fair, at early morn, 
Chased a rainbow through the corn: 
'Twas said all things the heart loves so, 
Were at the end of the rainbow ! 

Through meadows sweet, at noon passed 

she, — 
Still far the rainbow seemed to be 
Over the hill, beyond the sun. 
The rainbow vanished. Day was done. 



[172] 



CHERISHED 

I HEARD you call, — yet miles were interven- 
ing,— 
I saw you through long days and nights alone ; 
I felt your loving arms about me twining, 
And knew the rapture that we two had known. 

'Twas but a dream, for miles are intervening. 

And waking brings the pain of yesterday ; 

Yet God be thanked that in my dreams I hold 

you, 
And see, and love you, in the same old way. 



[173] 



IN MY BREAST IS A BIRD 

In my breast is a bird, 

Which flutters and sings 

At the sound of your voice. 

It spreadeth its wings, 

And soars to the God that is up in the sky. 

In my breast is a bird, — 
'Tis my soul, — it is I. 

In my breast is a bird. 
So tender and nigh. 
At your look it would grieve. 
At your frown it would sigh. 
Oh, feed, 'tend, and keep, 
Lest it droop, or it die. 

In my breast is a bird, — 
'Tis my love, — it is I. 



[174] 



THE BROKEN STRINGS 

The broken strings cannot be mended, — 

They cannot make music. 

Fair the instrument and the melodies it might 

have sung, 
But the strings, — they are broken ! 

Useless the entreaties, — memories only are left ! 
Useless the instrument, — 
For broken strings cannot be mended, — 
The harmonies of life can resound nevermore. 
The strings, — they are broken ! 



[175] 



DEBTORS 

One day love passed my way, 

And I was cold. 

He lingered, and would play, 

But he was bold ; so bold ! 

And I was cross, so cross ! 

A little thing it seemed, to toss 

A heart away ! 

I never thought of loss ; 

For I was cold ; so cold. 

I sent love on his way, to pay 

A debt I owed, old, old ! 

Today, love stands aloof. 

And I would woo, — just you! 

He looks at me, forsooth. 

As though he needed proof; 

I'd heart enough for two, 

(If he just knew). 

This is the way it goes ! 

Love sends me on my way, alas, to pay 

A debt he owes. 



[176] 



I WOULD I WERE 

Were I a fragrant zephyr, or the wind, 
I'd seek and seek until you I should find. 

Were I a golden ray of summer sun, 
I'd never leave you till the day were done. 

Were I a silver moonbeam shining bright, 
I'd weave a web about you in the night. 

Were I a rosebud, I would ask to lay 

Upon your breast and breathe my life away. 

Were I a lover, and possessed by you. 
There's nothing in the world I could not do. 



[177] 



SLEEPY HOLLOW 

Mammy's Lullaby 

Close de liP peepers, — 
Mammy's gwine to take you 
Down 

To Sleeper's 

Hollow! 
Follow Mammy ! Follow ! 
Long de drowsy, drowsy lane, — 
We'll go long, and back again, — 
Lil' boy and Mammy ! 
Old Chloe and Sammy! 
Take de Teddy-bear along! 
An' ring de bells, a-ding — a-dong ! 
Good is right, an' bad is wrong, — 

Down in Sleepy-Hollow! 
Sleepy flowers all nod de head. 
When it's time to go to bed ! 
Swallows in dere lil' nest. 
When de sun sinks in de West. 
So, cuddle up on Mammy's breast, — 

And follow, follow, — 
All good chilluns, — 
Down 

To 

Sleepy — Sleepy-Hollow ! 



[178] 



SHE LOVETH ME! 

As a rivulet rushes singing along, 
So my heart singeth all the day ! 
For she loveth, she loveth me ! 
Even the stones I make merry with its rounde- 
lay. 

As the wind sweeps across the desert, shaking 

the forest, 
And lashes the sea into fury, 
So my love, sweeping every barrier, 
Would seek thee, — would reach thee ! 

As the rock on the cliff, will I wait eternally, 
No one knowing my heart-secret; 
For you loved me ! You loved me ! 
And I am deaf to all entreaties. 



[179] 



BLEST IS THE NIGHT! 

Bkest is the night 

When shadows fall, 

And all shall rest and sleep ! 

When peace enfolds the throbbing heart, 

And dries the eyes that weep ! 

When silent stars their vigils kee^ 
All in the quiet dark. 
And God recalls the soul again 
To His mysterious barque; 
Mayhap of bliss, — eternal light ! 
Mayhap of sleep, — eternal night ! 

Still may we know where'er we go, — 

Whatever is, is right; 

Whatever plans within His hands 

He holds for us, are right, — 

When shadow^s fall, and all shall sleep, 

Blest is the night ! 



[180] 



THOU ART TO ME 

To me thou art so lovely and so true, 
My life is incomplete where thou art not. 
The breeze^ the leaves, even they speak of you,- 
Then thinkest thou by me couldst be forgot? 

Thou art the one flower life hath given me ; 
Thou art the lily and the rose in one ; 
M}^ heart a closed garden is for thee, — 
Thy love is like the glorious summer sun. 



[181] 



THREE LITTLE SORROWS AND THREE 
LITTLE JOYS 

Three little sorrows and three little joys, 
Were sent to companion three girls and three 

boys: 
One was named Oh, 
And one was named Woe, 
And one was named No, 
That were sorrows. 

And one was named La, 

And one was named Yah, 

And one was named Ha, 

That were joys of all the tomorrows. 

Now, Oh married Ha, 

And Woe married La, 

And No married Yah, 

Thus three little sorrows and three little joys, 

Are wedded companions, — 

Three girls and three boys. 



[182] 



YOU 

Fed by the gleam of a bright sunbeam, 
Freshened each day by the morning dew, — 
A clover was born by the meadow-brook. 
And this is you ! 

Wafted each hour from a fragrant bower. 
Memories such as the fairies brew, — 
Lovely and loving and tender and true. 
Are dreams of you ! 

Witching and bright as the moon's white light. 
And high above me as skies of blue, — 
Heaven seems nearer, all life seems dearer. 
Because of you ! 



[183] 



THE DEWDROP AND THE ROSE 

A DEWDROP clung to the heart of a rose, 

One glorious summer's day! 

" Cling, cling ! " said she, " Oh, deary me. 

The sun is coming our way ! 

And you haven't long to stay ! " 

Old Sol rose high in the morning sky ; 

There was no such luck that he'd pass them by ! 

" Adieu ! " said the dewdrop ; 
" Adieu ! " said the rose, 

" There is no chance for we-uns, goodness 
knows ! " 

Then the thirsty sun took the dewdrop, too; 
For what could a poor little drop of dew do ! 



[184] 



FREEDOM OF THE WINDS 

Oh, come then, where the seas roll as they go, 
And where the night-winds whistle as they blow ; 
Oh, come, be free as sea gull there with me ! 
Dost know the freedom of the winds and sea? 

Oh, come, where " carking care " ne'er finds one 

there, 
And loose thy tresses o'er thy shoulders bare; 
Be free with me, just once such freedom know. 
Where seas roll as they go, and night-winds 

blow! 



[185] 



LOVE'S FAIREST DREAM 

'Tis only a floweret I plucked by a stream, 
Yet it brings back to memory my life's fairest 

dream. 
I hold it, and love it, and count its leaves o'er, — 
" She loves, — loves me not, — " 
Oh, those fair days of yore. 

'Tis only a mem'ry I'll treasure for aye, — 
For it brings back our childhood, ere you went 

away. 
A wee meadow daisy, a flowing mill stream, — 
" She loves, — loves me not, — " 
Oh, I would 'twere a dream. 



[186] 



HEARTCALLS 

Something whispered a thought of you, — 
And something fluttered within my breast. 
Can it be 'tis the test of the love that is best 
And lasting and perfect and true? 
If I only knew. If I only knew. 

Something ever brings you to mind, — 

Though my pathway may wind and wind, 

Something calls in my heart for You t 

Can it be 'tis the love that is sent from above, 

Everlasting and real and true? 

If I only knew. If I only knew. 



[187] 



IN SHADOWY WAYS 

In shadowy ways, where the sunlight's rays 
Are scattered and 'broidered aslant the days, — 
We hear the song that the wind-harp plays 
In the forest of night as the faint soul prays: 

Light of the darkness ! Light of strife ! 
Keep us alive with the sun of life ! 
Waken the spirit in shadowy ways, 
Dispel the gloom of the world which lays 
Across the breast of the earth tonight! 
Light of the world, oh, send us light ! 



[188] 



THE FAIRIES' SECRET 

Hey ! Come down from the trees, you elfins and 

fairies ! 
I've a sight for the gods I want you to share! 
And bring all your wands, and spices so eerie. 
And for a treat prepare ! 
Bring Tinkle and Winkle, and Fetch'em and 

Carry ; 
Come see what the world has unrolled ! 
Oh, hurry ! Oh, hurry ! Make haste and don't 

tarry ! 
Such joy as is waiting untold. 

Ah, where did it come from, you elfins and 

fairies ? 
'Twas left by a white bird, whose name is the 

stork ; 
He brought it wrapped up all in a wee bundle. 
And then flew away as light as a cork ! 
Just fancy ! Just fancy ! The wonder, the 

wonder ! 
Come sit by his side in this glen ; 
For here is a secret, that only you fairies, 
Can ever unravel for men! 



[180] 



THE MESSENGERS 

The brook babbled on, and it spoke like this: 
" Hu-sh, — do not ru-sh, — life is bliss, — life is 
bliss ! " 

And the larks were singing their matin hymn : 
" Glo-ry,— glo-ry be,— to Him,— to Him ! " 

And the night fell down, and the watchful stars 
Spoke their silent message to strife which mars. 
Till all without and about and within 
Made living-life but a sacred hymn! 



[190] 



WONDER OF LIFE, O ROSE 

Wonder of life, O rose, loved by the lover of 

lovers, 
WTio made thy cheek to blush ! 
Who made the flute-like notes 
In the throat of the thrush ! 
Handiwork of the Maker, who named thee 

"rose"! 
And hast thou a lover beside the wind that 

blows ? 
Who knows, — who knows ! 

sweetest flower that blows, roughly by thee 

the north wind goes, 
A wheezing, freezing with its snows ! 
Would I could save thee, rose ! 
Not fit to touch thy hem, nor thy sweet stem. 
It blighteth all that grows. 
Come rest upon my breast, 

1 love thee, rose ! 



[191] 



ONE HAPPY HOUR 

'TwAs just one happy hour we spent together; 
One hour, — in all life's days and months and 

years. 
'Tis like a rainbow through the stormy weather ; 
For memory's sake I smile through these hot 

tears. 

One little happy hour, so swiftly ended; 
To live a lifetime for, — to hold, to own, — 
And then, the empty years, — a heart un- 

mended, — 
And then, to struggle on, somehow, alone. 



[192] 



MY HEART A COMPASS IS 

My heart a compass is 

Which leads to thee! 

However far I wander, 

It brings me back to thee. 

My heart must turn forever 

Wherever you may be, 

And never, never, never disown its loyalty. 

Though I may wander, wander far, 

My heart a compass is 

Which leads to thee, to thee. 

My own, my true, unchanging star. 



[193] 



HOW CANST THOU BLOOM, O ROSE 

How canst thou bloom, O rose, when heart of 

mine is breaking! 
Rivers, ye flow, and onward go, though heart of 

mine is aching! 

Day doth break, and sun doth glow, though my 

soul doth suffer so ! 
All the world is fair, so fair, — careless of my 

heart's despair! 

How canst thou bloom, O rose ! 

River, how canst thou flow, 

When my poor heart can never know 

aught but pain, 
Nor hope ever, ever again ! 



[194] 



UNKNOWN 

I've searched through all the world, my own, for 

you; 
Since I was told of bliss love only knew. 
Daily I've watched the throng surging along, 
And wondered were you seeking for me, too. 

They told me I would know, soon as I saw you. 
That you were just the one girl that would do; 
So, if you're wandering, seeking somewhere for 

me. 
Know, unknown love, I'm waiting, and for you. 



[195] 



THE DIFFERENCE 

Yesterday, the sun poured forth its light; 
My heart, glad as a bird, unknowing fright ; 
Song filled my soul; atrill, all nature piped a 

lay. 
Life was so full, so joyous, yesterday! 

Today, there is no single ray of sun ; 

The answering heart-throbs, the bird's songs, 

have done. 
All gray, all hushed, all hope is died away. — 
You loved me Yesterday. You love me not, 

Today ! 



[196] 



WITH HIM 

There shall be no night nor sighing there with 

Him; 
There shall be no tears, no crying, there with 

Him. 
There He wipes all tears away, 
There's no night, but all is day. 
This is what the angels say, 
There with Him. 

There shall be no pain nor dying there with 

Him; 
There shall be no hopeless trying there with 

Him. 
There He takes us to His breast, when He knows 

we've done our best. 
And we leave and trust the rest 
There with Him. 



[197] 



THE DEAD BIRD 

A BIRD flew to my window 

One snowy winter's day, 

And sat all bruised, disconsolate, 

As I went on my way. 

I did not see its breast was red, 

I thought it came but to be fed. 

And so the crumbs in bounty spread. 

But ah, — it came to die, instead ! 

Love came with a lonely heart. 

One sunny summer's day ; 

And romping, we did skip in glee. 

I thought he came to play ; 

I did not see he was for me ; 

I did not think this e'er could be ; 

And so love drooped his pretty head. 

And oh, they say today he's dead! 



[198] 



SONG OF MY HEARTSTRINGS 

The daylight may vanish, the sun fade away, 
But with thee on my bosom, 'twould always be 
day. 

The nighttime may settle, the dark cover o'er, 
But if thou art beside me, — could I wish for 
more ? 

The song of my heartstrings, the balm of my 

life. 
Oh, thou solace, thou splendour, — thou light of 

my life ! 



[199] 



I CHOSE A ROSE TO TELL MY LOVE 

I CHOSE a rose to tell my love, — 

A summer rose of crimson hue, — 
And bade it speak close to her cheek 

The sweetest words it knew! 
To rest upon her fair young breast. 
And, breathing all its fragrance forth. 
To plead, e'en die, — 
As thus would I 

For you my love, — 
My love, for you ! 

I chose a rose to speak my loss, — 

A winter rose, white as the snow ! 
And bade it say, sun of my day 

Went with her where the daisies grow ! 
Now every breath of fragrant rose, 

Wafted where'er a zephyr blows, 
A benediction falls on thee, — 

My own white rose. 
My lost white rose! 



[200] 



NORWEGIAN SLUMBER SONG 

Take Mother's hand to slumberland, 

Where all good babies go; 

When night comes down, 'tis dark 
around, 

And tiny heads droop low. 
The Shepherd will guard His sheep. 
And ever the wee lambs keep ! 
God's blessed care is everywhere ! 

Little darling, sleep ! 
Little children's prayers are always 

heard ; 
He cares for even the little bird. 
Close little eyes ; by -baby-by, — 

God always keeps His word. 
He will guide thee ! Rest beside me ! 

Naught can betide thee. 
With love Divine, and Mother thine, — 

Little darling, sleep ! 

Sleep, little baby, sleep ! 
Guard will the angels keep ! 
A God of Love will watch above. 

While — my — baby — sleeps — ! 



[201] 



ANSWER 

What were the world, or all its wealth, to me, 
If living meant a life spent without thee? 

What were the sun, with all its warmth and 

glow, 
If I must live and your love never know? 

What were the stars that shine in glorious 

might, 
If, loving thee, I miss thee day and night? 

What were life for if love were born like this? 
Unblest the earth for me without your kiss. 

What do I care if skies be blue and fair, 
If in despair I seek thee everywhere? 

What are my days, what my unhappy lot, 
If I must know by thee I am forgot? 

What is my heart — my life — my love — to 

thee? 
Answer this question. — Answer. — Answer me. 



[202] 



JEWELS OF MY HEART 

Within my heart such jewels rare, 
Sparkling and fair, are garnered there ! 
The gems I wore when life was fair 
And love my king beyond compare ! 
O would you care to come and see 
My treasury of memory? 
Behold the jewels of my heart, • 
When of my life, love was a part ! 

This diamond was a tear for me ! 

This sapphire was your sigh ! 

Here, strung on precious golden threads, 

In Memory's casket lie 

Opals which burning love confess ; 

This ruby, — 'twas your song! 

And perfect pearls, each a caress. 

With my gems of love belong! 

No more within your heart I reign ! 
Ne'er can I be your queen again ! 
With tears my eyes are clear with pain, 
As pebbles washed after the rain! 
Ah, did you care so much for me? 
Or could you see my treasury. 
Where love entwines, and jewels shine. 
In days of yore when you were mine ! 



[203] 



IN ALL THE WORLD 

In all the world there's none so fair, 

There's none so sweet to me; 

The orchids rare cannot compare, — 

Not half so sweet, as thee! 

I've never asked for wealth, nor fame, 

I've lived contentedly ; 

But every night I'll say my prayers,— 

Ask God, to give me thee ! 
My thoughts of thee like incense rise 
By day, by night, unto the skies ! 
I hear your voice ! I see your eyes ! 
My heart within my breast replies. 
I've never asked for wealth nor fame ; 
I've lived contentedly; 
But, oh, I know I can't go on 

Unless God gives me thee! 



[204] 



MY PEARLS 

The tear that shone upon your cheek for me; 
Fear lest you lose me in your eyes I see; 
The faith, the living faith, I have in thee, — 
Though worlds divide, still would you loyal be: 

Such are my gems I wear where none may see ; 
These are my pearls, — my pearls which speak 

of thee. 
Within my heart I wear these jewels rare; 
Of priceless worth are they, beyond compare. 
No eyes may see, and yet I know they're there, 
Pearls-of-thy-love, — pearls-of-thy-love-and- 

care. 



[205] 



SPRING'S BEGUN! 

Under her coverlet of snow 
Mother-Earth slept for a season so, 
But her rest was stirred by a robin's wing, 
And lo ! on her breast was the face of Spring ! 

" Awake, dear Mother, and help me sing ! 
The brook is alive, and every thing 
Is scurrying, hurrying, blowing, growing, — • 
Knowing 'tis Spring, — 'tis Spring ! " 

So the old Earth, kissed by the golden sun. 
Robed herself in green, — and one by one 
The tulips unfolded, — Spring was begun. 



[206] 



CONSTANCY 

If every day you are away 

My thoughts could wing to you, they'd say, 

" No love but thine wish I for mine, 

No sun but thee for me doth shine." 

If every sigh when you're not by 

Were measured, they would reach God's sky. 

Oh, may they fall as gentle dew, — 

E'en that my sighs could bless you, too. 

If every prayer my heart could pray 
Were said until the Judgment Day, 
They'd be for you, — for you, — for you ; 
Such is the love, the love that's true. 



[207] 



THE OLD SALT'S TALE 

I AM a sailor salt and rugged, — 

A rover of the sea ! 
I brave the storm and I am free, 

As a valiant sailor should be! 

Though waves be high, and dark the sky, 
And the good ship tossing, tossing, — 

We cross the bar and put out afar, 
A-crossing, a-crossing ! 

Squall may blow and rigging moan. 
Swirling tempest seethe and groan. 

And the salt spray over her decks be blown. 
But a sailor's life is a sailor's own ! 

Oh, the raging sea calls out to me, 

Though the east wind hugs, pursuing! 

And at every blast and crack o' the mast. 
It calls, " Be up and doing ! 

Let her run before the gale ! 

Set her every sail ! 

Naught have we for ruing! 

Though a thousand leagues are we from shore, 

A thousand storms has she braved before ! " 

Squall may blow and rigging moan. 
Swirling tempest seethe and groan. 

And the salt spray over her decks be blown. 
But a sailor's life is a sailor's own ! 
[S08] 



IF I THY KING MIGHT BE 

No lofty place I crave but in thine heart; 

Of fame and wealth I claim no part; 

But King I'd be, my Queen, to thee. 

And ruled by love all willingly. 

Thine heart, my throne, 

I'd rule alone. 

If I thy King might be. 

No palace, grand estate, I yearn for here. 
But shelter of thine arms so dear. 
Where I might rest upon thy breast. 
And know love's riches are the best. 
What would I give to live and live. 
If I thy King might be. 



[209] 



WHERE DREAMS COME TRUE 

Some future day, we'll walk the self-same way, 

Hand clasped in hand ; 

No secrets and no heart-aches then will be, — 

You'll understand. 

Before the world of worlds I can love you. 

And you shall be mine own, 

Where dreams come true. 

In Paradise, should I reach there 'fore you, 

I can but wait 

Until your barque puts in from life's dark sea, 

E'en soon or late ; 

You'll find me watching, waiting there for you ; 

Then you will be mine own. 

Where dreams come true. 



[210] 



THE AWAKENING 

The brown Earth was awakened 

By the warm kiss of the Sun. 

" You'd better stir," said he to her, 

" And carry the news to the folk of fur ! 

The Winter's done ! The Spring's begun ! " 

The old Earth yawned and opened her eyes, 
Bathed by the kindest April skies, 
And sending the fairy-flowers of May, 
Spring bade them say: 

" We are the first of a flowery band. 
Heralds of Spring to a lovely land! 

" Awake ! Awake ! No heart can break, — 

No eye can weep a single tear ! 

For the sake of the sky and the woods and the 

lake, — 
Awake ! for the Spring is here ! " 



[211] 



THE REDBREASTS 

Robin and Mrs. Redbreast 
Had tucked themselves in bed 
Just as a Southern Mocking Bird 
Burst into song o'er head. 

" I only wish," said Missus, 
(Perhaps by envy led) 
" I had been born with a vest of gray 
Instead of this vest of red ! " 

Then Robin puffed, and stirred a wing, 
And said, " My dear Rob-ie, 
You might have sung a finer song, — 
But you're all that just suits me!" 



[212] 



O EVENING STAR 

O EVENING Star, 
O crescent Moon, 
Thou wilt light her couch and slumber soon. 

As silently thou'lt rest upon her breast 

And kiss her cheek. 

Oh, whisper of the love, — 

The love I dare not speak. 

O evening Star, 

Like thee, afar 

Is she from me; 

A beauteous shining light, 

A hope through life's dark night, — 

Like thee, O evening Star! 

Thy radiance shower 
Through her jasmine bower. 
And cling to the virgin rose 
That on her casement blows. 
Shed thou refulgent ray. 
In holy light to say, 
" O'er my beloved's sleep. 
May angels watch and keep, 
evening Star." 



[213] 



A DREAM 

I DREAMT death closed my eyes in sleep, 
And peace o'erspread my soul, so deep, 
Till in this heaven I sought in vain 
To find my love I'd loved on earth again. 
To look once more into that face so dear, 
I left all earth could give, without a fear: 

For Paradise, without thine eyes. 
To me could not be bliss ; 
And heaven could not be heaven to me, 
Without thy lips to kiss. 

I dreamt I searched the stars all through, — 

Forever on, still seeking you; 

There was no peace, there was no rest. 

But only longing filled my breast. 

I was set free; at last all secrets knew. 

Except the only one, — oh, where were you! 



[214] 



THREE LITTLE WORDS 

I WOULD love to sing some special song for you 

(for you), 
That would clear the stormy skies and make 

them blue (so blue) ; 
With tenderness I'd part, that would soothe 

your loving heart. 
And dry the tears that start (they will not do). 

But the song that I would sing, from my heart 

it taketh wing 
In the loving thoughts I bring just for you 

(just for you) ; 
And mere words cannot express this fondness in 

my breast, — 
And I know you know the rest that I would say 

(I would say). 

For the song that's in the air that I hear just 
everywhere. 

Though the skies be dark or fair, is ** / Love 
You "; 

From the bird that's on the wing to the meadow- 
brooks that sing, 

I only hear three little words, I — Love — 
You. 



[215] 



BUT I DO 

I MUST not sigh when you're not by me 

(But I do). 
I must not weep, for tears they try me 

(But I do). 
I must not grieve 'cause I must leave you ; 
I know I should not e'er deceive you ; 
I haven't told you how I need you 

(But I do). 

I must not think all day about you 

(But I do). 
I must not feel life's naught without you 

(But I do). 
I ought not, then, to say I miss you ; 
I know I should not long to kiss you ; 
I haven't any right to love you 

(But, — I do). 



[216] 



MYSTERIOUS MYSTERIES 

I ASKED of the sea as it rolled by me, 
" Oh, share with me all of your mystery ! " 
And the sea called back as plain as could be, 
" No man has yet fathomed the soul of me ! " 

I gazed on the sun and I sent on high 
A wireless up to the king of the sky, 
" Oh, tell me your burning secrets of fire ! " 
But old Sol just smiled and rose higher and 
higher ! 

I looked on a maid and the heart o' me 
Leaped in my breast as it would be free. 
I said: " Am I led by love? Can it be? " 
" Ah," the maid replied, " love's a mystery ! " 



[217] 



WHEN THE CLOUDS HAVE PASSED 
AWAY 

Shifting, drifting cloudlets 

Hurry, scurry by ! 

Darkened sun ere day is done 

In a gray, gray sky, 

But no reason we should weep, 

Dearie, you nor I ! 

When the clouds have passed away, 
Underneath is sun of day ! 
So come along and laugh, be gay, 
Cheery, you and I ! 
Shifting, drifting cloudlets 
Scurry, hurry by, — 
Tomorrow we'll laugh at today. 
Dearie, you and I ! 



[218] 



TREASURY 

If all my heart the world could see, — 
A casket fair of memory, 
Be jeweled all with thoughts of thee, — 
Ah, would the whole world envy me. 

If all my life could I give thee, 
I'd wish to live eternally, 
For time would wing so fast away 
I'd count a lifetime as a day. 

If all my soul, — my treasury, — 
Could at thy feet but emptied be. 
Its rarest gems of brilliancy 
Would be thy love, — thy love for me. 



[219 



WHAT IS A DAY TO A LOVE LIKE 
OURS 

Why speak of tomorrow as though it were 

years. 
Cast, cast away sighs and all idle tears. 
Tomorrow must dawn, howe'er dark be tonight ; 
Tomorrow holds promises rich in their might. 
We've waited forever, it seems, for today ; 
And love's flame is burning in just the same 

way. 
Let us wait till tomorrow in faith, — without 

fear; 
Wait, wait, one day more. 
Though a day seems a year. 

What is a day to a love like ours? 

A leaf in the book of Eternity, 
Only a petal in a garden of flowers. 

Only a wave on destiny's sea. 
What is a day to a love like ours. 

Enduring through all life's mystery? 
The soul of love lives through sunshine and 
showers, — 

For love never dies in souls like ours. 



[220] 



DEAR HEAVEN 

When the sun has set and the daylight dies, 
And I shall rise to immortal skies 
Out of this husk which covers me, 
And forevermore unfettered be, 
I shall take with me where the angels are, — 
'Cross the unknown sea, past the harbor bar, — 
The love you gave that has blest life here, 
Which makes e'en dying hold no fear. 

When the time must come for my soul's re- 
lease. 
When breath must cease, and eternal Peace 
Shall claim me His, who gave me thee. 
And I must wing where we cannot see, 
I shall take with me where the angels are, — 
'Cross the unknown sea, past the harbor bar, — 
The love you gave that has blest life here. 
And made such heaven for me, dear. 



[a^i] 



TRINKETS OF MEMORY 

Oh, memory's trinkets jingle 

In the pocket of old Time, 

And set the heart a-tingle 

With many a smile or rhyme 

We stowed away when life was gay 

And the summer was bright and fair. 

And except we heard them jingle. 

Forgot that they were there ! 

A-tingle, — tingle, — tin-gle, — 
Goes the pocket of old Time, 
As memory's trinkets jingle 
With rhythm, smile, or rhyme ! 



[2^2] 



DEAR OLD LOUISIANA 

Land of Evangeline! 

Land of the old regime ! 
Knighthood and gallantry, — 
Beauty and majesty! 
Garnered the memories 
Of thy brave chivalries, — 

Old Louisiana! 

Dear Old Louisiana ! 
They skies are over blue, — 
Thy sons are over true ; 
We pledge to thee our constancy 

Dear Old Louisiana ! 

Quaint in thy fragrant breeze, 
Portal of waterways ! 
Sweet are thy fields and marts ! 
Dear to our loyal hearts ! 
'Lasses and sugar cane, — 
Their sweetness never wanes 
In Louisiana ! 

Fought for by noble sires 
With patriotic fires. 
Thy men are men entire 
Whose valor never tires ; 
Loved by the fair and brave, 
Many a martyr found a grave 
In Louisiana! 
[223] 



Sure as thy fertile fields 
Harvest from famine shields, 
Sure as her bounteous soil 
Yields wealth for all who toil,- 
Love's words can never tell 
Our hearts, nor ever spell 
Fair Louisiana! 



[gJ24] 



LA NOVICE 

God of the bright forever ! 
God of the yet-to-be! 
Thou who dost temper 
To the shorn lamb, the wind, 
Be as kind, in mercy, to me! 

God of the just! 

Father of love! 

Christ of Galilee! 

Oh, hear the prayer 

Of a contrite heart. 

And calm this strife in me ! 

God of the bright forever! 

God of the yet-to-be! 

Withhold not thy peace 

From a stricken soul, 

As in anguish it turns to thee! 



[225] 



WHEN WEARY GROWS THE HEART 

When weary grows the heart of fitful things, 
And love doth sit apart, mute and silent are the 

strings 
Of golden harp that sings 
Alone for joy, — 
Oh, have ye faith to enter in, 
Nor linger at the door to mourn, 

Forlorn ! 
The golden shore is lined 

With outstretched arms, 

For such as ye! 
And loving hearts there yearn 
And wait for thee 
So long apart ! 

Oh, give us faith to enter in, 
When weary grows the heart! 



[226] 



BYE-0-BABY 

The sun has gone to sleep; 

The flowers have closed their eyes ; 

The trembling stars are waking in the sky; 

The little birds are sleeping, 

And the mother moon is keeping 

Watch on high! 

Sleep, little one, sleep ; 
Mother is near. 
Guarding thee, dear; 
So never fear. 
But sleep, sleep ! 

The tiny lambs are gathered in the fold; 

The doves, their loves and their good-nights 

have told; 
The nightingale now sings its lullaby 
To the music that the evening breezes sigh ! 



[227] 



I LONG FOR YOU 

I THINK of you as twilight shadows fall; 

The stars all speak of you ; 

I see your face among the flowers ; 

You're with me, dear, for hours and hours 

The long day through! 

I hear your voice o'er and o'er 
Repeat some gentle thing; 
Else near my ear all day I hear 
The song you used to sing! 

Your face is near with tender eyes and bright, 
And through the toil and strife of day 
I long to say " Good-night ! " 

There are others in my life, — 

Dear heart, I wish they'd do ; 

But somehow there's no place for them, — 

I only long for you! 



[228] 



TREASURES 

Treasures of art, and treasures of wealth, 

And treasures of life there be; 

But all my treasures are treasures of love, — 

My babies, one two, three: 

One that toddles, and one in the crib. 

And one upon my knee ! 

I do not long like the rich to be, — 

Yet they pass by with envious eye. 

Wishing that they were me. 

With one that toddles, and one in the crib. 

And one upon my knee. 

Treasures are what we value most ; 

Treasures we hold in our hearts close, close ; 

So I'd not take the gold of the world for thee. 

My babies, one, two, three! 

One that toddles, and one in the crib, 

And one upon my knee. 



[229] 



A MOTH 

She dropped a rose upon the stair, — 
A rose, lost from her bosom rare; 
Only a blossom ! — 'twas not missed ; 
For more were there ! 

Like the perfume of that flower 

Upon her breast. 

She won my heart with care; 

And while it rested near 'twas loved ; 

But more were there! 

And when nor weed, nor thorn, could keep 
Its nest so fair. 

It lost its place, — was bruised, — forgot. 
As the rose dropped on the stair! 



[230] 



KISMET 

Some are born for thorns, 
And some for flowers; 
Some for the noonday sun, 
Some for dark hours ! 

So far as I can see, 
It seems to me 
Whatever is, is right. 
You said, "Depart!" 

No matter 'bout my heart! 
(The tears will start). 
Whatever is, is Right; 
Good-night ! Good-night ! 



[231] 



IDOLATRY 

When first I looked on thee I knew 

That love, fathomless as the sea, 

Encompassed me eternally 

With all its wealth of treasury. 

And all its pangs of misery ! 

Yet temple shrine was heart like thine. 

If thou wert mine ! 

If thou wert only mine ! 

My heart would burst its prison bars. 
For love athirst climbs to the stars ! 
No pain can chain love that's unslain. 
Nor clouds bedim, nor glory wane. 
If thou but smile on me again ! 

With thee away, the skies grow gray. 
And life is but a wasted Day ! 
All overhead the stars are fled. 
Wandering I search for thy dear face,- 
The heart can find no resting place! 
As lost lambs cry unto the sky, 

Disconsolate, 

I wait, my Love! I wait! 



[^2] 



WHEN MADELINE IS NEAR 

When the lights are low, and Madeline is near, 
Speech is silent, — silence understood ; 
The lofty stillness of the quiet in the wood. 
Life seems complete ; the future holds no fear ; 
And how time flies is mighty queer 

When the lights are low. 

And Madeline is near ! 
When the lights are low, and Madeline is near, 
I'd die for her, or strive hard to win ! 
I try to think of something I'd not do, — even 



sm 



To hear her sing surpasses anything I know 

in life ! 
I do not sigh for gold nor gear ; 
When the lights are low. 
Then heaven is here. 

When the lights are low. 

And Madeline is near ! 



[233] 



THE WIND THROUGH THE BRANCHES 

The wind through the branch is sighing 

In the soft night overhead, 
As my lonely heart is crying 

For thee, — asleep with the dead. 
As the leaves on the trees are murmuring 

With every breeze that stirs, 
So my thoughts are ever returning 
In the memories fond of Her. 
O Love, come back from the dead to me ! 
O Love, come back ! Life is death without thee ! 
As every breath of the wind through the trees 
Stirs my soul in its constant memories. 
Come back ! Come back ! 
Else I come to thee! 
For life without you 
Is death to me ! 



[2S4] 



WELL BELOVED 

WELL Beloved, speak and answer me! 

If love doth live through all eternity, 

Out of dead hopes may peace arise. 

Fairer because of sacrifice, — 

Eternal peace of heavenly skies? 

Is love, then, peace in Paradise? 

O well Beloved, speak and answer me! 

O Tears, cease to flow ! 

Oh, calm thy fears, and know 

The soul awakens with faint breath. 

But living, battles until death 

Claims the husk ! At dusk 

Comes peace, — the end ; — 

But all is well! 

And all is well!! 



[235] 



O WONDROUS FLOWER O' MINEl 

Thy heart is like a red, red rose, — 
O wondrous Flower o' mine ! — 

Whose perfume blesses all it knows, — 
O wondrous Flower o' mine ! 

Unfolding graces one by one, 

As petals do disclose 
The beauty and exquisite breath 

Deep in thy heart, my Rose! 

Thy heart is like a red, red rose, 

And o'er my life entwines 
The loveliness that lives to bless, — 

wondrous Flower o' mine! 



[236] 



MINE! 

Out of the sky where the birdlings go, — - 

A-winging, a-singing, — 
Came a thought from Angels, I know, 

A-springing ! 
Out of the heavens, — the heavens blue, — 
Where is stored every treasure, and bless- 
ing true ; 
A gift of beauty, — of love, not duty, — 
To me was given, " to have and hold " 
This side of heaven, — 

'Twas you ! 'Twas you ! 



[237] 



BECAUSE 

Because between long distance there's some 

line 
That reaches ever 'tween thy heart and mine, 

I know the same, same tenderness, apart, 
Resting on thy dear heart. 

Because then in the twilight hour I know 
Unrest and longing where I go ; 

Because I listen for thy footstep's fall, — 
I know this is love's call ! 



[238] 



JEWELS OF TIME 

Hidden away from the light of day 

Where nobody ever can see, 

Guarded are treasures of priceless worth, — 

Sacred to you and me ! 

Some call them " dreams " and " memories " ; 

Some, " castles-in-the-air " ; 

To me they must ever jewels be, — 

These days that were, oh, so fair! 

There's Youth, with its pearly whiteness ; 

And fame^s diamond brilliancy ; 

Love's flaming ruby, with crimson warmth, — 

My love for you, — your love for me ; 

And many's the opal of mystery ! 

There's friendship's sapphire, deep and true 

As the ocean blue. 
Speaking of loyalty we knew 
As we sailed on life's ship together, — we two, 
we two ! 

My jewels are set by a master hand 
Into a pattern all noble and grand: 
Jewels-of-time like my own are few ! 
Ah, their setting is precious ! — 
'Tis always, — you. 



[239] 



PASSED 

I RAN to meet the whispering sea ; 

I heard it call, and thought 'twas thee ! 

I wandered through the wood at night, 
Where leaves spoke of our past delight! 

The same stars shone all silently 
'Neath which you told your love for me ! 

All was the same, — all present, fair ; 
But oh, how life was changed ! 
You were not anywhere. 



[240] 



ABOVE ME 

No stars e'er shone from any skies 
So blue and bright as thy dear eyes ! 

No rose unfolded in the South 

So sweet, so tender, as thy mouth ! 

No soul e'er entered heaven's gate, — 
And left another here to wait, — 

So white, so light, as thy soul, — thine ! 
Blest, blest am I that thou wert mine! 



[a4i] 



YOU 

Fed by the gleam 

Of a bright sunbeam, 
Freshened each day 

By the morning dew, 
A clover was born 

By the meadow-brook, — 

And this was you! 

Wafted each hour 

From a fragrant bower. 
Memories such 

As the fairies brew ; 
Lovely and loving 

And tender and true 

Are dreams of you ! 

Witching and bright 

As the moon's white light. 
And high above me 

As skies of blue ! 
Heaven seemed nearer, 

All life was dearer, — 
Because of you ! 



[242] 



THE SUNDOWN KISS 

Margie and Ned are now at outs ! 
Margery cries, and Neddy pouts ! 
Margery's tears fall like rain ! 
" Granny, I shan't love Ned again ! " 
" Cease your quarrels ; fie, oh fie ! 
I never made my sweetheart cry ! 
Listen, I'll tell the reason why: 

" Never strike back when he strikes at you ! 
Always make up if he wants you to ! 
Don't cry, dearie ; try to be cheery ; 
Never permit the sun to set 
And leave you two quarreling yet ! " 

Years speed by, as years always do, — 
Lessons leaving for me and you ! 
Margie and Ned in w^edded bliss. 
Old Sol seeth many a sundown kiss, — 
But never, never, one amiss ! 
And grandma watches from the sky 
Where sweethearts never, never cry ! 



[243] 



A PROMISE IN THE SKY 

When Polly was a little girl, 

And her doggie died, 
She suffered every pang of loss 

And grief, and cried 
Until her mamma took her 

And kissed the tears away ; 
While mending Polly's little heart, 

Pier mamma would say: 

" Rainbow, rainbow ! 

A promise in the sky. 
Rainbow, rainbow ; 

All will be well by-and-by. 
The sun is shining, dearie ; 
Then dry your eyes ; 
For in the sky I see a rainbow ! 
So, don't cry ! 

When Polly was a big girl 

(And big girls have their grief), 
And Polly's heart was aching 

And there was no relief; 
When mother was a memory 

As gentle as the rain, 
Polly thought she heard her singing still 

The comforting refrain: 



[244] 



" Rainbow, rainbow ! 

A promise in the sky. 
Rainbow, rainbow ; 

All will be well by-and-by, 
The sun is shining, dearie; 
Then dry your eyes ; 
For in the sky I see a rainbow ! 
So, don't cry ! 



[245] 



ALONE 

I AM longing for the old days, 

For my heart is past control! 
I am thinking of your dear ways, 

Your purity of soul! 
I am waiting in the shadows 

Where loveless life makes moan ; 
Because my heart is homeless, dear, 

I'm waiting here — alone. 

Alone, I wander where we strayed 

Ere love was put away! 
There is no sun ! I am undone ! 

Alone at close of day ! 
Alone, your face and bonnie grace 

Haunt me with rest unknown ; 
Because no one can take your place, 

I'm lonely, — and alone. 

I remember when we parted, 

A tear shone on your cheek ; 
So when I've been brokenhearted, 

I hoped, but dared not speak! 
For tears aren't pressed, it seems to me. 

From hearts that turn to stone ; 
I am hoping, — oh it must be, — 

You're waiting still, alone ! 



l^4^6] 



YESTERDAY 

Yesterday " a gentleman " meant a man of 

honor ; 
" A hero " spoke for sacrifice ; 
And a name or a place weren't bought for a 

price 

Yesterday ! 

Yesterday honor didn't mean gold, 
For reputations weren't sold 

Yesterday ! 
Europe was across the sea, 
For the ocean hadn't become a pond ; 
Money didn't stand for integrity, 
And half the world wasn't demi-monde 

Yesterday ! 

Yesterday, yesterday, 
Other songs were sung! 
Yesterday, yesterday, 
You and I were young! 
Fear to the careless minds we flung. 
Our hearts weren't broken, nor even wrung, — 
Yesterday ! 

" Be it ever so humble there's no place like 

home." 
" The last rose of summer left blooming alone ! " 
" We canna leave the old folks now, 
We'd better bide a wee ! " 
[247] 



" And for bonnie Annie Laurie 
I'd lay me down and dee ! " 

" The old oaken bucket that hangs in the well ! " 
" Thy dear eyes o'er my heart have cast a 

spell!" 
" When all the world was fair, lad, 
And all the world was gay ! " 
"Robin, Robin, Adair!" 

Yesterday ! Yesterday ! 



[248] 



SOMEWHERE 

Somewhere flowers never fade; 

Somewhere there's no pain ; 
Somewhere love is always true; 

Somewhere there's no stain. 

Somewhere lovers never part; 

Somewhere there's no fear; 
Somewhere there's no broken heart ; 

Somewhere there's no tear! 

Somewhere life is always sweet; 

Somewhere there's no care; 
Somewhere love with love will meet; 

Somewhere — Somewhere ! 



[249] 



AWAY ON THE SEA OF MYSTERY 

Away on the Sea of Mystery, — 

Away in the ages dark, — 

A fair lady, as eyes could see. 

Put out in a wee, frail barque. 

For " the Land of Love " was not above, 

But only across this sea ! 

" I'll fare me there, if the winds blow fair ! " 

Saith she, saith she ! 

To Loveland ! To Loveland ! 

I would the captain be! 

Oh, take me where skies are always fair, 

Across the Sea of Mystery. 

Ecstasy is a certainty. 

So Loveland is the place for me, — 

To Loveland! 

It was not a lark, for skies grow dark 

On the Sea of Mystery ! 

Of lovers fair, two make a pair 

In this old world anywhere 

(As most any one can see). 

On most any shore are three or four 

Who would gladly lovers be ! 

She'll never find one she left behind ! 

Ah me ! — Ah me ! 



[250] 



INTO THY HANDS 

Into Thy hands, O Lord, 
I lay my trusting palm! 
Knowing there is no strife 
Thou canst not calm. 

Into Thy heart, O Lord, 
I hide my tears away ; 
Shelter of love and peace 
For mortal clay. 

Into Thy love, O Lord, 
My faltering spirit rests, — 
Infinite bliss of peace, — 
On Jesus' breast. 

Into Thy word, O Lord, 
My faith and hope is cast ; 
Leading me on to Thee 
At last, — at last. 



[261] 



GOOD-BY 

GooD-BY, Sweetheart; good-by! 
The time is come when you and I 

Must part! 
No bridge can span the space, 
Nor other take your place 
Within my heart ! 

Today and every day 

My constant thoughts I'll send away to you! 
Perhaps through all the space 
They may safely reach the place 
I want them to! 

Then go ! It must be so ! But know I wait, — 
If not on earth to meet, — beyond the golden 
gate. 



[25a] 



THE OLD SONG 

A piLGEiM listened at a door ; 

Loud revelling was within; 

A tender voice was singing, 

Clear and pure, through all the din ! 

And it drew his step so wayward. 

Held his heart so full of sin. 

As with a tone of pity 

Through the night wind murmuring, 

The old song wafted to his ear 

His mother used to sing! 

" The half has never yet been told, 
Of Love, so full and free ! " 
'Tis my mother bids me know 
From the stars she can see ! 
(How 'shamed she must be of me.) 
Mended tonight is a broken heart. 
And mended are broken ways: 
When the music has died away. 
Those words will come back to me: 

" The half has never yet been told 
Of love, so full and free ! " 

He had heard his mother sing it 
In the twilight when a babe ; 
He remembered when they sang it 
At the new-made open grave. 
When his life has lost its spirit 

[253] 



And his heart drooped like a flower ; - 
Oh, the past had been a blank to him 
Ever since that hour, 
Till the old song, a little thing 
His mother used to sing! 



[254] 



JESUS IS HERE 

Jesus is here, O fainting Heart! 

He feels the wounds, He knows the smart. 

Jesus who died on Calvary, — 

Jesus is here with you and me. 

Jesus is here to guide and bless; 
Jesus will share all thy distress ! 
God's blessed Son, Comforter dear. 
Waiting with love, — »Tesus is here. 

Jesus is here, O faltering Soul, 
Cleansing thy sin, making thee whole! 
Never alone, — why should I fear 
When by my side Jesus is here? 



[255] 



THOU AND I 

The roses will blow on the shore as of yore, 

And the thrush at your door will sing; 

But my heart, tempest-tossed in the shipwreck 

of love, 
Is a poor, lost, wanton thing ! 
The nightingale's mourning with me, — 
Broken-hearted he sings from the tree: 
" Scorned and forgotten," says he, " are we ! " 
Poor little nightingale and me! 

My heart lived and died in that day you said 

" Nay." 
The flowers drooped their heads when you sent 

me away ! 
Pure as the dew, my darling, are you ; 
Your love is like wine. 
And your tresses that shine 
With their rippling gold 
Do my heart enfold ! 

Oh, return to my arms that are empty ; 

Return to my heart that's bare! 

There is love, and hope, and caresses. 

In holiness waiting there ! 

Then the dove shall come back to my breast 

again. 
Forever to rest, — free from its pain. 

[256] 



Oh, return to my arms that are empty ! 
Return to my heart that's bare! 
There is love, and hope, and caresses, 
In holiness waiting there! 



[257] 



I LOVE YOU STILL 

For all the past, — the aching pain, — 
I still would live my life again! 
I would forget that bitter day 
You left me lone, you went away. 
I love you still! I love you still! 
Again to know that blessed rest, 
To lay my head upon your breast ! 
Make life a song, — oh, bid me sing ; 
I would forgive you everything; 
I'd prove my love; I'd live until 
I heard you say, " I love you still ! " 

I love you still ; I love you still ; 
I love you still through all the years. 
I would forget the blinding tears. 
Though it was best for us to part, — 
Return again ; accept my heart ; 
Thy life renew; my vow fulfill, — 
For oh, I know I love you still! 



[258] 



CHANT D'AMOUR 

Though worlds divide 

Thy soul and mine, — 

Thou art with me, 

Still am I thine ! 
Thy presence dear is ever near, 
To guide, to soothe, to help, to cheer 1 
Though thou art there 
While I am here, 

I know no death is there above ! 
I know no death is there for love ! 
And so I know where'er I go, 
I'll ne'er lose thee on earth below. 
While rivers flow 
And breezes blow. 
No love is lost that loved me so ! 
Thou art with me ! 
I know ! I know ! 



[259] 



AUTUMN LEAVES 

When the autumn leaves are falling, 

And old mother-earth is calling 

To her breast 

The lovely leaves all golden, 

Or with flame blazing and bolden, 

Back to rest, — 

Oh, they speak a song o' gladness 

To my heart. 

And no parting word of sadness 

When they part ; 

For the sun still shining there 

Brings the springtime, sweet and fair 

With abundant life and new ; 

When the autumn leaves are falling 

Is old mother-earth then calling 

This to you? 



[260] 



ADRIFT 

Adeift, we part ; 

Along life's golden stream 

We float in open boat, 

Sole mariner of Fate, — 

To long, to wait. 

To hope, to trust, to pray. 

At last the day 

We'll reach the self-same shore, 

To weep, to part. 

No more, — no more ! 

O skies and tides. 

With her and me abide ! 

Safe to the shore of Evermore 

Our love ships guide ! 

Adrift, — uplift our hearts in loyalty 

Till fate's swift current 

Carries me to thee! 



[261] 



DEEP IN MY HEART 

Deep in my heart there is a sacred room 
Where treasured lie the fairest flowers that 

bloom ! 
Garnered their fragrance of a summer's day, 
Loved, but not lost, — only laid away 
Upon a sacred shrine ; 
Way down deep in this heart of mine, 
In storehouse sacred as a chalice cup. 
Fond memories of thee are garnered up ! 
Thy trusting hand ! Thy simple heart ! 
Of all my treasures stand apart! 
Thy word of cheer ! Thy smile so dear ! 
Love's first embrace ! Blush of thy virgin face ! 
Forgiveness all divine, beaming from eyes like 

thine ! 
The last word, then, you spoke that my heart 

broke : 
These are the petals fair, — horde of loving 

care ; 
These are the jewels rare that shine 
Way down deep in this heart of mine ! 
When I am laid away, and turned from clay 
To dust, still in some happier day, 
Away in the starry sky, you and I 
Will count these treasures o'er ; 
My heart can never die ! 



[262] 



Unsealed this sacred room, 
Revealed shall shine this spark divine 
Hidden within this ever living love, 
Way down deep in this heart of mine ! 



[263] 



THE LAND O' DREAMS 

A GOD named Truth wooed a maid called Love, 

In the Land of Dreams, 
Which is overhead some place, it seems, 
Near the heavenly gate above. 
With sunbeam eyes and a heart of gold, 
He spoke the truth in the story old, 

Of love, — dear love. 
He offered Right and Honesty, 
For Ecstasy and Loyalty ; 
Her heart he won. 

And the}' were one. (In the Land of Dreams! 
A god named Truth and a maid called Love.) 

In the Land of Dreams ! 

In the Land of Dreams ! 

Where everything is what it seems ! 

Tears never flow, hands never let go, 

In the land where sunbeams always gleam, — 

The Land of Dreams ! 

The Land of Dreams ! 

A child called Happiness was born 

In the Land of Dreams ! 
Above golden clouds it played, I ween. 

Perfect as a summer's morn! 
Good spirits and mirth about it teemed. 
Never forlorn, but care-free, care-shorn. 

True-love-adorned ! 

[264] 



It was said by all who could see, 

Its heritage was Felicity! 

Joy was its own ! 

Unrest unknown. (In the Land of Dreams ! 

A child called Happiness was born.) 



[265] 



THE BUTTERFLY 

In the sunlight of a summer's day, 

Its honeyed lip drinking the dew away, 

A butterfly with glorious wings 

Soars in the air with greater things. 

Do you think that he 

Remembers what he used to be? 

A fuzzy ball on the garden wall, 

Did he know that wings were wrapped within, — 

One day he could say, " Catch me if you can ! " 

Or play at tag with mortal man? 

O flippant thing, 

O gaudy wing. 

And labeled free, 

Inconstancy, 

A butterfly ! 

(Even as you and I). 

Those gauzy wings a secret hide. 

And there abides ! 

" Make an airship like me if you can ! " 

Instructor of immortal man, — 

A butterfly! 
(Even as you and I.) 

So the end will be with you and me: 
Worm-like on earth below crawl we. 
Then all is perfect, and all is ripe, 
Our souls unfurl for immortal flight. 

[^66] 



Our existence here 

We leave with the husk at the bier, 

And foot shall not crush the thing with wings! 

Forever we're done with brutish things ! 

So Heaven is within both you and me, 

The land of delight is here, you see! 



[267] 



ON THE SHORE OF EVERMORE 

On the shore of Evermore 

Our frail barques are drifting on, 
Where we'll meet when life is o'er, 

In that perfect dawn. 
All the dear ones who have gone 

But a little while before, — 
Where they watch and wait for us 

On the shore of Evermore. 

Evermore the land of light! 
Nevermore the dark, dark night! 
Listen, — there are angels' wings ! 
Harken, — 'tis a cherub sings ! 
Drifting, drifting, close to shore, — 
To the land of Evermore! 



[268] 



MOTHER 

In childhood, whose arms held you strong? 

Who sang the lullaby song? 

Who put you to bed, 

When your prayers had been said? 

When you bothered, who said, 

"Run along!" 
Who never grew weary 
Through days dark and dreary? 
Who thought you could never do wrong? 

Mother ! Mother ! 

Sweetest name I know ! 

I see thy loving face 

In the firelight's glow ! 

I see thy face among the clouds ! 

You're waiting there, I know ! 

Mother, Mother! 

No other loved me so ! 

Whose love cannot be bought for gold? 

Whose faith in you never's sold? 

Whose the dearest hands 

In all the whole wide lands? 

No matter what happens. 

Who'll understand? 

And what words of welcome 

Or what words of joy 

E'er equals hers, " My boy ! My boy ! " 

[269] 



O love that lasts 'till the Judgment Day ! 
O love that nothing can take away ! 
Love that no lips can ever say ! 
Love that makes of work mere play! 
Love that will always understand! 
The only love in the whole wide land ! 
Oh, tell me where there is another 
Love like the love of one's own mother! 



[270] 



HE IS RISEN 

The tomb it is empty ! 

The stone is rolled away ! 

He is risen, — freed from the prison of Earth ! 

Gone to the Father who sent Him ; 

Gone to the Father who lent Him ; 

That all may arise in new birth! 

On high He returneth! 

On high He returneth ! 

Still to comfort He yearneth, yearneth to bless. 

" I will not leave you comfortless ; 

" I will come to you " — " come to youJ*^ 

He loveth His children not less ! 

" All hail." " Be not afraid." 
" I am with you always." 
" Peace be unto you." 
" Be not faithless, but believing." 
" I go to my Father, and your Father," 
" To my God, and your God." 
" That there ye may be also." 
" I go to prepare a place for you." 
" Feed my lambs." " Feed my sheep." " Feed 
my sheep." 



[271] 



THE WINDS OF GOD 

The wind of God trieth the soul of man ! 
Testeth the strength of the beating heart, 
Uprooting its loves, and its hatred, 
Sifting the seed of the heart's wildwood 
As the harvest is scattered by His hand ! 

As bloweth the winds of the Maker, 

So swept is my soul, clean from malice! 

As listeth the winds of God, 

So is the heart swept by the zephyrs of love ! 



[272] 



MY HEART IS CRYING OUT MY 
LOVE FOR THEE 

As blue as depths of sapphire are thy eyes, 
And tender as the twilight summer skies ; 
As fresh with mists of love's young morn, 
And clear as shining star 'fore day is born. 

My heart is crying out, my love, for thee! 
In memory thy pure face I see. 
I know somewhere, somewhere, 
You wait for me 
With longing, dear, divine. 
My own to be 

My heart is crying out my love, my love, for 
thee! 

Thy mouth is like a beauteous southern rose. 
Within whose petals sweet, the dew's enclosed ; 
Thy glorious hair, a beauteous golden web, 
Like buttercups upon the meadows spread. 

Thy ivory arms a restful haven make, 
All else is empty shadow for thy sake. 
Oh, canst thou know a heart could break! 
Oh, canst thou know what means a heart to 
break. 



[273] 



REMEMBER 

Remember I have loved you all the years, 
Remember I would die to spare you tears ! 
Remember that my life is naught to me, 
For it is only life if shared with thee. 

Remember, dear, remember, — 

Our love was like the sun! 

Remember, dear, remember, — 

When you and I were one ! 

Joys fade — time flies — 

And eternity will tell 

How well, how well I loved you, dear, — 

Eternity will tell! 

Remember, when I'm dead, the tears I've shed 

for you ; 
Remember since love died, I would die, too ; 
Remember, then, that day to pray that I 
May meet you there beyond the starry sky! 



[2741 



TREASURES ABOVE GOLD AND 
RUBIES 

In a very humble cot, 

In a very quiet spot, 

Sat a maiden who was waiting for a love; 

She had cherished all her life 

The fond hope to be a wife. 

And to be wooed like a turtle dove ! 

She said : " I'll wait forever, for no other 

Will I take, 

But a lover who will love me 

For my own sweet sake ! 

I've no fortune for my part 

But a warm and loving heart. 

And with this heart must I my fortune make ! 

Treasure above gold and rubies ! 

A heart that can understand! 

Measure above all the fortunes 

Aw aiting a heart in love land ! 

Love that is love for love's sweet sake! 

Never could know a heart could break! 

Treasure above gold and rubies, 

Love for love's own sweet sake! 

Now this maiden waited long, — 

This same maiden of my song, — 

While the others seemed to gather mates galore ! 

But no lover ever came 



And asked her to change her name, 
Nor tarried at the little cottage door ! 
She sang of love and loving 

As she waited patiently, 
Till it sweetened all existence, — 

Any one could see! 
Though of lovers she had none. 
She was loved by every one, — 
For she loved all the world most constantly ! 



[276] 



HER LOCKET 

Could I be what I would be, it seems to me 

There's a locket she wears 'round her neck 

On a little gold chain, set with drops of the 

rain, 
That her rare, lovely charms doth bedeck! 

Could I be what I would, — 

Oh, if only I could ! — 

Then of all things on earth or the sky 

I would choose but to be 

In the locket that she 

Gives kiss after kiss 

When no one is nigh ! 



[277] 



THE IDOL OF MY DREAMS 

Her face is like a sunbeam, 
And her heart is hke the dew, — 
This girl who'll always love me, 
And always will be true ! 
She'll never be a scold to me. 
But lenient, most certainly 1 
Forgiving she will always be. 
No matter what I do. 
Now, do you know where I could go 
To find this girl? — Do you? 

The idol of my dreams, it seems. 

Nobody knows but I! 

I cannot find, outside my mind, 

However hard I try, — 

The girl who haunts my dreams o' night. 

And lives all through each day. 

Is just a dream, they say! 

I know her like is few, 

But there must be one who'll do. 

Oh, do you know where I could go ; 

Ah, can it be 'tis you? 

I see a face like Mother's, 

Which is always kind to me. 

Who thinks of me faithfully 

And with sweet charity! 

In hour of pain which none might see, 

[278] 



I'm confident she'd pray for me! 

Her heart is young, and free from taint ; 

She's saintly, yet no saint ! 

I'll seek this girl through all the world, 

Although my heart grow faint! 



[279] 



MY OWN SWEET MARJORIE 

Her heart was light as thistledown, 

And that's why I stole her and brought her to 

town! 
The marigolds in her garden fair, 
A shower of gold, were like her hair! 
In a nook by a brook I said in play. 
While making love on a summer's day: 
" In my wanderings, I have yet to see, 
A sweeter girl than you are, Marjorie!" 

Marjorie, the irises are blooming 

In the w^oodlands where you used to stray with 



me 



The lambs in contentment there are roaming, 
Just as we are today, and used to be ! 
The sorrows of a lifetime are behind me. 
But you're just as sweet to me as you can be. 
Just as the day I stole you, my sweet-clover. 
From the meadows for my own sweet Marjorie! 

The gold of her hair is spun-silver now ; 

Time's finger-prints rest upon her snowy brow! 

The years have fled, oh, so swiftly by. 

It seems we've had yet no time to sigh ! 

I'm glad I wed an old-fashioned girl, — 

She's suited me best! New girls for new 

worlds ! 
Ah, hear her saying, " We're most seventy ! " 
I thank the good Lord for thee, Marjorie! 
[280] 



ELEANOR 

The mocking-bird still sings 
Above the door, 
Eleanor ! 
Though you've gone forever more, 

Eleanor. 
The honey-suckle sweet 

That used to greet us two. 
Still speaks, — and calls for you, 

Eleanor ! 
The sun still shines 

From yonder shore ; 
Its every ray every day 
Seems to say, 

"I'm Eleanor!" 
My poor heart. 

So bereft. 
On the earth alone is left; 

It alone can ne'er rejoice, — 
Never, never more, — 
Till it hears the music of your voice, 
My Eleanor! 



[281] 



THE LASS ON THE SHORE 

Alas, for the lassie I ne'er can see more ; 

Alas, for the lassie I left on the shore. 

Her blue eyes were beaming, the sunlight was 

streaming. 
And the sea it was gleaming as never before. 
Oh, I yearn for the grasp and the clasp of a 

hand. 
And the sight of that strand of my own native 

land; 
But the heart of me longs for, — yes, longs 

more and more, — 
For my own bonnie lassie I left on the shore. 

Alas, for the sailor that sails the seas o'er ; 
Alas for the lassie who waits on the shore; 
Though true hearts are a blessing, — and e'en 

three or four, — 
Though a lifetime ye'd gather, ye'd never find 

more. 

There's a heart that ye'll search for, — 
Yes, search the world o'er, — 

And not find in a lifetime. 

Like ye left on the shore. 



[282] 



A PARADISE WERE THIS 

If all the world were mine, Dear, 
For you the world I'd give ; 

If dying, I could spare thee pain. 
Then would I cease to live! . 

If loving you, could make yow love. 
No lives had known such bliss ! 

If living, dear, meant life with you, 
Ah ! Paradise were this ! 

If sorrowing, I might bear your grief, 
I'd choose to bear thy woe; 

If weeping, I could spare thee tears. 
My tears instead would flow ! 

My heart's blood I would shed for thee. 

And ne'er demand a toll ! 
Before God's throne I'd plead for thee 

That I might save your soul! 



[283] 



WHAT CAN I DO TO MAKE YOU 
LOVE ME? 

If the beautiful world I held in my hand 
And offered in all its worth to you, 
Would you love me then, — 
Would you understand 
As others seem to do? 

Would it change your heart, — 

Would it make you see 

The fortunes of love that belong to me, — 

If the treasures of every treasury 

Were mine to lay at your feet? 

Would it change you, dear? 

Could it make one here 

Of our two lives incomplete? 

What can I do to make you love me? 
What can I say that I have not said? 
My life is wearying for love's sunshine; 
My heart is so tired of the clouds o'erhead ! 
What is there left of all love's magic 
I have not tried ere the set of sun ! 
What can I do to make you love me ! 
What can I do to make us one ! 



[284] 



HONEY-CHILE 

Honey-Chile, wifout guile, 
Listen to yo' Mammy Liza ! 
Yo' can do mo' wif a smile 
In dis ole worl' all de while 
Dan wif any 'mount ob bile 
High as de tower ob Piza ! 
When youze gwine to kick, Honey-Chile, 
An' youze riled so youze jus' sick, Honey-Chile, 
Don't strike a lick so quick. 
But pick your words choice-like, and smile ; 
It'll git yo' what you wants all de while, 
Honey-Chile ! 

Honey-Chile! Mammy's lil' honey-chile, 
Never rile de disposition 

What de Lawd gib you ! 
De sunshine gwine to bring de flowers ; 
Keep a-smilin' froo de showers ; — 
Dese may be de darkest hours ! 
No one's gwine to smile for you ; 
No one keers much if youze blue ! 
If youze down in de mouf, it's up to you 

To smile for yourself, — 

Now ain't it true? 
But whatever you do, 

Don't boo-hoo ! 
Try a smile. 
Mammy's lil' Honey-Chile! 

[285] 



Honey-Chile, walk a mile! 
Listen to yo' Mammy Liza! 
Take yourself down to de stile, 
An' sit awhile till you smile! 
Folks will jus' admire your style. 
An' no one can despize yo' ! 
Dis worl's mighty big, Honey-Chile, 
An' nobody cares a fig, Honey-Chile! 
Unless you cares, no repairs makes good 
Dat speech yo' can't take back! 
De most curioust thing is a smile, 
Honey-Chile ! 



1:^86] 



LOVE 

The days were long before you came, — 

I used to wish them o'er; 

Now would I pause, nor ever blame 

Time's lagging footsteps more! 

The sun that never shone for me 

Shines now for me alone; 

Such love I said could never be 

Is now my very own! 

I would the paths of infancy 

Once more I could begin, 

With such love shining in my soul. 

Your love makes shine within! 

Love is the light of the heavens ! 
Love is an angel fair ! 
Love is the blossom and fruitage of God 
In the world, — it is everywhere ! 
Love's golden-link, binding two hearts. 
Never those hearts are bare ! 
Love is the blessing of tenderness ; 
Love is the balm of Care ! 



[287] 



THE VIOLETS 

The dewy violets have come again, 

So like your eyes! 

And someway hope within my heart doth spring 

And live and rise! 

The tiny, restful emblem, subtle, sweet, — 
So much like you, — 

Makes me ashamed to be but all that's good 
Or great and true! 



[288J 



A SANCTUARY 

My heart is a sanctuary 

Where together we kneel alone, 

A fount refreshing the weary 

When naught but your love could atone ! 

Here sacred tapers are burning 

On the altar of this shrine, 

Where at close of day I kneel to pray 

And thank God that your love is mine! 



[Je89] 



THE BOATSWAIN'S CALL 

Every day has sunny moments, 
When we get a glimpse of heaven! 
Every week has surely one day 
Perfect out of seven! 
Every life has held its promise, 
Every mind has had its goal. 
Every one has crossed Sin's bridges, 
Every one has paid their toll ! 

Stormclouds may gather ere the noon-day ; 

Frost may come with Summer skies ; 

Like a promise of the morning, 

Hope within each bosom lies ! 

In the sunshine, 'cross the river, 

Joys and sorrows all will tell, 

Where the boatswain calls, ere landing, 

"All is well! All is well!" 

Every heart has broken sometime, 
Hidden by a smiling face! 
Every soul has groped in blindness. 
Ere it won life's race! 
Every one has learned his lesson, — 
Every student in life's school! 
Every one has failed some one time. 
Keeping the Golden Rule! 



[290] 



THE MASTERPIECE 

Like tender music of a minor strain 
Upon the sea 

A summer breeze wafts to a sultry shore, 
You came to me; 

And drifting in my soul, your melody. 
Resounding, sweet. 

Made of my life a wondrous masterpiece, 
Perfect, — complete ! 



[291] 



MOSAICS 

Whisper, trees and zephyrs ; 
Call and call, O sea ; — 
Every sound in the world round 
Speaks one name to me ! 

There's a bonnie laddie 

Way out on the foam 

Whose good ship heads to the land ; 

He is bound for home! 

Rock-a-bye, rest a wee. 
Bairn o' mine and his ; 
Waitin' we since auld lang syne ; — 
'Tis comin' home he is ! 



[^92] 



MAVOURNEEN QUEEN 

The sun will shine for others, — I'll not see it ; 
The world will whirl and turn on just the 
same! 
But every shamrock star of dear old Ireland 
While I must live will speak your cherished 
name! 

My heart will beat, though life has lost its 
savor; 
Though far away, your love I must recall ; 
Come back, — you'll find my heart will never 
waver ; 
Mavourneen, Queen, — you were my life, my 
love, my all ! 



[293] 



THE WAYS THAT WIND 

Some way the day is not the same 
Since you have gone away ! 
The birds' call only sound your name! 
" She's gone ! " it seems to say. 

The roses die for need of you ; 
The stars speak of you nightly, too ; 
The skies, just like your eyes so blue. 
They say : " She's gone away from you ! " 

My heart, my heart! 

It sighs, and sighs ! 
How I miss thee ! It o'er and o'er replies ! 
And all the world is changed, dear. 
Since you have gone and left me here. 

Some way the path that seemed so clear 

When you were here beside me, dear, 

I can not find! 

The ways, they wind, — and wind, — and wind ! 

I only see thee on thy bier! 

Thy spirit fled! 

Ah ! You* re not here! 



[294] 



THERE 

There, where is no more parting; 

There, where is no more care; 

But joy and peace eternal, 

And loving, everywhere ! 

There, in some golden-summer. 

Under a turquoise-sky. 

We'll wander in such happiness 

Together, you and I! 

All sorrows of earth forgotten, — 

Even the reasons why, — 

Banished will be all heart-ache there; 

Forgotten there every sigh! 

Seeing with clearer vision. 

As only the angels see, 

I know I shall be forgiven 

There, even you will forgive me ! 

There, where the angels are singing, 

There, in that land afar, — 

No fears, no tears, no night, but light, 

There, in that perfect star ! 

There, in God's peaceful heaven, 

You and I must wend. 

There, — only there, — is hope for all, 

There, broken hearts will mend! 



[295] 



THE DIFFERENCE TO ME " 

As a song is to the singer, 
As a wave is to the sea, 
As a star is to the firmament, 
Am I to thee. 

As sunshine to the earth is, 
As is freedom to the free. 
As a harp is to the hai'p strings, 
Art thou to me! 



[296] 



SUFFICING ALL 

Divine was the lovely morning, 
Divine was the sunny day ; 
And everywhere I sauntered 
I saw God in the way. 

Closer than pulse then beating, 
Closer than this heart of mine. 
Is a love enfolding and tender, 
Sufficing all, — divine ! 



[297] 



AN ANGEL'S VISIT 

An angel came from heaven 

Through the starry night, 

Drifthig softly to my bed 

'Midst a cloud of light; 

Smoothed my brow with angel-hands, 

Telling me of angel-lands, — 

World forever bright! 

" Ask one question of me, then ; 

I may not come back again. 

For this night am I set free 

To come to Earth to comfort thee! 

Ask whate'er thou wilt," saith she, 

" It is my task to answer thee." 

Angel of God, 

From world afar, 
Shall we meet 

On another star? 
I plead to thee. 

Solve thee this mystery ! 
Oh, is she waiting there for me. 
When from this husk my soul is free? 
Shall we meet! Shall we meet 
Across the silver sea? 
Angel of God, 
Oh, answer. 

Answer me! 



[298] 



THE ROSE'S SACRIFICE 

A CYCLE 

I 

Rose, did you know, — 

As each petal unfolded. 

And you drank the dew 

In a garden made fairer, sweet Rose, by you,- 

'Twas for me you were born, — 

'Twas for me that you grew ? 

As you gathered such fragrance, 

O, say if you knew. 

Lovely rose, 'twas for me! 

Could you see? Could you see? 



O Rose, what am I, 

Or can I hope to be. 

As compared with thy sweetness. 

Dear Rose, would I be ! 

All my life has been sweetened 

This hour. Rose, by thee, — 

You who lived, yes and died. Rose, for me, 

Died for me ! 

m 

O Rose, what am I 
That for me you should die? 
Though you've not died in vain. 
Thou one joy in this day of my pain ! 
[£99] 



sweetest of flowers 

On God's earth, 'midst His dew, 

Every one knows, sweetest Rose, it is you; 

It is you ! 

IV 

1 pray one day He 
May as worthy call me 
From this garden of Earth 
Where He gives us all birth; 
Aye, as thou, sweetest Rose, 
For the purpose He knows, — 
He knows ! 



Can I be then as thou, 
'Twill be solace enow, — 
Am I worthy as thou, rose, — 
As thou! 



[300] 



DREAMS THAT MAY NEVER COME 
TRUE 

Seems like in dreams I have seen your face ; 

Seems like I'd known you before ; 

Seems through the star-beams I have sought 

you, 
Wandering through mazes of yore ! 
Seems like the hope in my breast had been you 
Through eons of time, as I searched the worlds 

through 
For the one love that's true, 
Embodied in you. 

That no one else knew — only you ! 
Thus it seems you were meant for me in my 

dreams. 
And I was meant for you. 

Dreams, dear dreams. 
What were the world without you! 
Dreams, — intangible, fairy-like dreams, — 
But for you, what on earth could we (mortals) 

do! 
Woven of hope 'mongst silvery clouds. 
Woven of Light 'mongst sombre-shrouds, — 
Dreams, dreams, — 
Star-beams and gleams, — 
Dreams that may never come true! 



[301] 



DAFFODILS 

Golden goblets rare and fair 
Brimming nectar past compare, 
Kings and fairies envy thee, 
Honey-hearted, sweet and free! 

Golden goblets, I would make 
Banquet for thy honor's sake, 
Offering to the gods above 
From thy bowl potion of love, 
While thy brim my heart refills. 
Golden goblet daffodils ! 



[302] 



AH, WHAT IS THE USE OF 
TRYING! 

FOUR SONGS 

I 
A SPELL, is cast o'er my spirit, — 
The spell of a wicked eye ! 
It haunts me so wherever I go, — 
I know the reason why. 

II 

A little thrush fell out of its nest 

Just as the sun was sinking low; 

A little life fled with the light in the West,— 

A songbird, dead! 

And my empty breast, — 

Childless, — in an empty nest 

Sighed, as I cried, 

" God is everywhere ; and He knowest best ! " 

in 

A spell is cast o'er my spirit. 
Reproach for my life and song ! 
How can I compare with a bird of the air ! 
One voice in a world of wrong! 

IV 

A little thrush fell out of its nest 
Just as the day was dying; 
[303] 



Its little wings fluttered for flying ; — 
But night came down, and a heart was wrung; 
A song of hope died ere it was sung ! — 
Ah, what is the use of trying! 



[304] 



WEE BABY 

A DEWY flower in the morning sun 
I found today in my garden fair, — 
Emblem of love, a wondrous rose, 
The Maker had blossomed there! 
My heart abounds in reverence: 
How must I shield, must shield, 

With every, every care. 
Lest the sun's hot rays 

Or a ruthless hand 
Leave thee withered beyond repair ! 

Wee baby ! Ah, wee baby ! 

Love's dear bud, in the morning dew ! 

When the tropical sun at midday glows. 

Or the cruel, cold breath of the north wind 

blows. 
What will become of you, wee baby! 
Oh, what will become of you? 



[305] 



MY SOUL AND I 

O SOUL, with all your mystery and lore, 

Thou seest me 

Struggling, battling with this house of thine, 

Mortality? 

Thou lookest on, soul, knowing the end, 

All that will be. 

And if we shall be banished, welcomed in 

Eternity? 



[306] 



A SOLDIER BOLD 

Every tiny floweret blooming on the way 

Seemed to hold your little face 

When I marched away that day ! 

Every saintly daisy with its heart o' gold 

Spoke of you I left behind, 

But a soldier must be bold! 

Where the warriors gather in the trenches far, 
Nothing can our love eff*ace, naught our spirits 

mar! 
Heart-o'-gold, heart-o'-gold, 
Always will your love enfold, 
Days no flowers blossom, nights no stars hold, 
I'll long for you I left behind, — 
But a soldier must be bold ! 



[307] 



COME ALONG TO MISSISSIPPI 

Come with me where the Mississippi flows, flows, 

flows ! 
Come and see de Souf country 
Where de cotton grows, grows, grows ! 
Come to de Ian' ob sugah-cane. 
An' you'll stick wif de lasses. 
An' not come back again ! 
Come along to Mississippi, — 
De finest, finest, crops dat grow ; 
De mildest, mildest, winds dat blow; 
An' de sweetest, sweetest gals I know, 
Come from Mississippi ! 

Come along, come along, where life's a song; 

Come along to Mississippi! 

If you wants to roam or wants a home. 

Come 'long to Mississippi ! 

De craw-fish make de bestest dish ; 

De pompano am de bestest fish; 

An' de yaller gals dar am all you'll wish 

To make you dippy, — dippy ! 

Come an' explore that Souf country ; — 

Come 'long to Mississippi! 

Let me be, when dey's gwine to plant me, — 
Me, yas, me ! — 

Where soft winds are blowin' free, — 
Free, yas, free ! 

[308] 



De gates ob heaben done open fas' 
Paradise will always las' 
Neaf de ole magnolia trees 
Froo de whole ob de centuries! 
De fines' place to lib and die, 
Plenty good eatin' always nigh, 
De place to move to, by-and-by, — 
To dat Mississippi ! 



[309] 



SINCE I'VE LOST YOU 

The world was filled with ecstasy 
Because the world held you! 
Your tender eyes smiled kind replies, 
And all the skies were blue! 
Your soft caress made worry less ; 
All life was filled with joyousness; 
Love's whispered words were dew ! 
But, oh, I know not where to go 
Since I've lost you ! 

Lost as a lamb from the fold; 

Lost as a story untold ; 

Lost as a soul in the wilderness 

Lost as a miser's gold! 

Lost as an echo call; 

Lost as these tears that fall ; 

Lost, — oh, lost, as the words I rue ! 

Lost is all 

Since I've lost you. 



[310] 



THE THORNLESS ROSE 

I STEPPED into my garden, 

One bright dewy morn, 

And my own called (but jesting), 

" Bring me a rose, with no thorn ! " 

Ah, I smiled as I gazed on the flowers blooming 

there. 
Where were roses galore, of their kind past 

compare ! 
" The garden is fair," then called I, " it is true, 
But a thornless rose grows not, even for you ! " 



[311] 



THE SUN IS SHINING FOR YOU 

There never was a sorrow, 

The weight we could not bear ; 
There never was a dreary day, 

But held some promise fair; 
There never was a heart-ache 

For which there was no cure ; 
There never was a misery 

Which we could not endure ! 
There never was a Summer, 

But held its share of rain ; 
There never was a pilgrim, 

But bore his share of pain ! 
There never was a heart on earth 

That was not meant for love; 
There never was a soul that's lost 

To heavenly bliss above ! 

Dear heart, drear heart. 

The sunshine 
Is shining for you, 
If you but knew! 
Dear love, skies above 
Hold Spring and Summer, 

And Winter, too ! 
Life is what we make it. 
Love is as we take it, — 



[Sl«] 



Dear heart, — drear heart,- 
If you but knew, 
The sun is shining. 
Shining for you! 



[313J 



MARRIAGE A LA SUFFRAGE 

I PROMISE thee, this day I take thy hand 
(The cleanest in this just and equal land!) 
One law for both shall be for thee and me 
From now, through all Eternity ! 
Upon the same just cause 

Shall we depend; 
Our country's laws the same 

Shall each defend! 
Equality shall reign for you, for me, — 
You'll promise me! I'll promise thee! 



[314] 



AND YET! 

There was a girl 
With witching curls 
I met down by the sea. 
(Wonder if she 
Remembers me!) 

A summer memory 
Like this will fret! 
But she was different from the 
rest, — a pet ! 

No fairer do I see 

Than Violet,— 
And yet, — and yet ! 

The sun had set; "^ 

The day'd been wet; 

Across the Willow shore 

We had to get. Now would she let 

Me carry her a way? 

She smiled, — did Violet, — 
And archly said, " You bet ! " 
I would forget, — 
And yet, — and yet ! 



[315] 



CUPID'S GAME 

I LOVED a little girl, 
And she loved me; 
I left the little girl, 
The world to see. 
Now I've seen the world. 
And I'd give the world to see 
The little girl I love,— 
But she's left me. 

That's the way, I say, 

Cupid plays the game. 

His arrows fly 

O'er low, o'er high. 

While you're away. 

With Cupid's darts 

He plays at hearts. 

And wins from you the same ; 

That's the way, I say, 

Cupid plays the game. 

A little girl loved me 
Whom I couldn't love. 
The little girl left me ; 
Gave me quite a shove. 
Now I can plainly see 
She was the girl for me. 



[316] 



I'm out in the cold, — 
Getting very, very, old. 
I loved one little girl, — 
And one loved me. 



[317] 



OUR FLAG, AMERICAN 

A BANNER of welcome on the shore, 
A sign of hope for evermore. 
Where brothers lend a helping hand. 
The badge of Freedom's only land, — 
Our flag, American! 

Here's to the seven crimson bars ! 
Here's to the forty-eight Union Stars ! 
America's emblem glorious ! 
Where'er unfurled. 
In all the world. 
Victorious, victorious ! 

The Stars and Stripes for Union stand; 
Our country knows not hate. 
United, we stand hand in hand. 
United state by state. 

America has no North nor South; 
For when we stood at the cannon's mouth. 
We were brothers who faced a foe; 
Our tears with their's did flow. 

The stripes stand for equality; 
The crimson for fraternity ; 
The stars of God are over all ! — 
The loyal stars of Liberty! 

[318] 



Then let no war our fair name mar ; 
Keep our escutcheon bright, 
That where'er is heard America's word 
'Twill mean a land of Right. 



[319] 



THE WAGON AND THE STAR 

A NONSENSE SONG 

The sun is a beautiful golden ship, 
Which sails on high, on high! 
The stars are the little craft adrift 
On the blue, blue sea, — 
Carrying you and me. 

Don't you see, don't you see? 
And the Moon, 'tis the land 

Of the spooky-band. 
And a cemetarie! 

And where is the sun a-sailing? 
Perhaps to the China Sea ! 
And why is the moon a-paling? 

dearie, don't ask me! 

1 sailed one day by the milky-way 
Where the sea was purest cream ! 
But a pirate star hailed us from afar,- 
And stars ! how did I scream ! 

Stars ! how did I scream ! 

To the golden sun on a turquoise sea 

We were drifting on quite merrily. 

When behold in the hold 

A mariner bold. 

Who called to the mate and me: 

[320] 



" Your wagon ! Your wagon ! 

'Tis hitched to a star! 

And your star is a boat ! " said he. 

" Oh, don't you know, wagons won't go 

On the sea ! on the sea ! on the sea ! " 



[321] 



HONEY HEART 

Be sweet to the rich ; be sweet to the poor ; 
Who can tell what pain your sweetness may 



cure 



Little dear, never fear from your sweetness to 

part; 
Be a golden flower with a honey heart! 
Such hearts God over and over refills, 
Just as He does the daffodils ! 



[322] 



THE ROBIN'S MESSAGE 

" I'm here ! " said the Robin. 

" I bring you cheer ! 

They send me ahead in the spring of the year 

To bring you hope and allay your fear, — 

And to tell you at last the Spring is here! 

" As I winged my way over lake and brake, 
I saw that the mandrake was awake. 
And the may-bells rang for the lilac's sake, — 
Preparing all spring frocks to make ! 

" Cheer-up ! Cheer-up ! Cheer-up, my dear ! 
The world is waking ! The Spring is here ! " 



[32^] 



WITCHES OF THE NIGHT 

Witches of night 
That bringeth delight, 
Roving and loving, 

Nor caring for day, — 
Yonder moonbeam 
With shimmering gleam 

Give to be mine alway ! 

Sprites of the night. 
Of the silvery light. 
Dancing and prancing, 

Now here and now there. 
Tell me, I pray. 
Where livest by day? 

Where is thy castle fair? 

Elves of the wood. 
All fairies of good. 
Laughing and quaffing 

The lily cup's dew, — 
Where do you hide? 
Where do you abide? 

Always I'm seeking you! 



[324] 



IN A BYWAY 

On the highway, in a byway, 

Where the clover grows, 

On the roadside, by the seawide, 

Where the salt air blows. 

She was walking, and was talking 

To herself it seemed; 

Never guessing I was pressing 

Near, — she never dreamed ! 

She was saying they were haying, 

And would be till dusk; 

When to playing of the straying 

Fiddler's money musk, 

She, Jeannette, with her Pierette, 

After the corn husk. 

Would be swaying, aside laying 

Calico and rusk! 

Oh, the highway, and the byway ! 
Oh, Jeannette, Pierette! 
Oh, the fiddler's money musk ! 
Oh, the evenings after dusk ! 
Would I knew them yet ! 



[325] 



OH, BUT TO KNOW 

Oh, high or low, where'er the footsteps wend. 
Thou must recall thou hast on earth a friend. 
Oh, winds that blow, bring love's ship home to 

thee; 
I stand upon the strand, — leavest thou me ? 

Oh, but to know where'er thy pathways lead. 
Thou hast no grief, no pain, no lack, no need. 
Oh, but to know where thou chooseth to go. 
Thou wouldst remember that I loved thee so. 



[326] 



THE HEART'S REQUIEM 

So lovely and loving ! 
So tender and true ! 
The world, ah, 'tis empty 
Since I have lost you ! 

The roses, the linnets, 
And all that knew you. 
They miss you, and grieve, 
And life's changed for them, too ! 
Our hearts throb a requiem, — 
Praying for you ! 

Every sigh of the zephyrs, 
The whispering wind. 
The seas constant calling. 
Brings you to my mind! 
And I long to return 
To the years you were mine! 

So loving and lovely ! 

So tender, so true! 
Ah, the world it is empty 
Since I have lost you ! 



[827] 



MISCELLANEOUS 



HEART OF A FRIEND 

It may not be in the springtime of life, 
That the heart will respond to love's call ; 
The summer may pass, and love's roses may die 
While we garner the grain of the fall. 
But the love that we know when the winter winds 

blow, — 
Ah, 'twill warm the poor heart 'till the end ! 
For the love that we find in the heart and the 

mind, — 
'Tis the love from the soul of a friend! 



[331] 



TO MEMORY 

O CHAUCE deep and golden, 

Adorned by many a gem, — 

Full to the brim thy sacred bowl. 

Ay, running o'er with them. 

The memories I've garnered 

Through years that have passed by, — 

Ne'er guessing thou wouldst hold for me 

Long after love should die. 

Such treasures, past believing; 

Such blessings, past belief ! 

Such love, and smiles, and friendships. 

For loneliness relief. 

lovely sacred chalice ! 
My store-house treasury 1 

What perfume, what rare essence, 
Thou givest back to me ! 

1 kneel before thy precious store. 
And count thy blessings o'er and o'er ; 
And ever do I touch or find 

A panacea in my mind. 



[33^] 



PRAISE 

And what is praise? The song a bird sends out, 
Which thrills a listening heart, and soars to 

God? 
The perfect bloom of nature everywhere, the 

scent of flowers, 
The essence of the earth, drunk up by sun and 

dew. 
And flung in fragrance out upon the wind? 
Praise is the gratitude of every normal mind 
For gifts of the Unseen ; for all we are. 
And all we might have been. 
(Even the frost adds to the plenteous yield 
Of every harvest gleaned in every field. ) 
Praise is the trust we feel in God, and all God's 

ways. 
It is the smile that shines through bitter tears, — 
The rainbow of the heart ! 
Praise is the wings whereon we rise above all 

sordid things 
To heaven's own skies. 
Praise is gratitude's appreciation of the soul. 



[333] 



THE SPIRIT OF THE FOREST 

The spirit of calm and solitude, 

Of peace such only as forests know ; 

Where the heart beats true in the breast of You, 

What ever winds may blow. 

The hush of the woods, — life's altar rail, — 

The temple for unshod f^et that fail 

To find in the noise and the world of men, 

The God of the pine tree and the wren. 

Oh, rustling winds of the forest's wings. 
Oh, solitude blest where the angel sings. 
Into the dust I bow my head. 
Grateful to thee that I have been led 
To the lofty stillness of the wood, — 
Where I would live if I only could. 



[334] 



GROWTH'S SAKE 

Oh, do not fume and fret thy life away. 
For what shall be tomorrow, who can say? 
Today is thine ; rich promise fills its hours ; 
To profit which even the unseen powers 
Doth come to aid thee in thy task Today: 
Then wake, and work, and smile, and trust, and 
pray. 

Oh, do not fume and fret thy life away, 

When at the end for lost hours thou must pay. 

Thou art what e'er thou will ; what thou wouldst 

be. 
If only words of mine could make thee see 
That to progress, must thou e'en sorrows take. 
As flowers receive the rain, — just for growth's 

sake. 



[355] 



THE HEART KNOWETH 

More is in the heart than is spoken, — 

The heart knoweth. 

Deeper than words is its music, 

Resounding forever. 

More priceless than gems are its jewels. 

Richer in splendour ! 

Sacred its echoing memories. 

Answering always. 

Scenes in the heart are there painted. 

Grander than canvas ! 

There, speechless words form ; words truer 

Than prophets or poets ; 

Words never falling, but waking 

The long distant message! 

This heart is of thee, even thee: 

None but God seeth. 

This heart is thine own, moulded by thee 

And love's masterhand! 

There is more in the heart than is spoken,— 

The heart knoweth. 



[336] 



LIFE'S DAYS AS THE ROSE'S 
PETALS 

Life's days as the rose's petals, one by one, 
Fall on the pathway of the passing years. 
The flower-of-life doth fade; the gardener. 

Time, 
Doth pluck the empty calyx without tears. 

The fragrance of the rose in June's fair morn- 
ing; 
The loveliness of Youth, with hope arrayed ! 
In shattered petals, who sees an adorning? 
Night's zephyr bare the rose's heart hath laid ! 



[337] 



THE LAND OF MIGHT-HAVE-BEEN 

There's a far-off, lonely country, 
Where the jackals call at night, 
(I'm speaking of the heart-land. 
Of him who's not done right), — 
And the blizzards freeze the pulses. 
And no flower o' love is left 
Of the lovely flowering valleys 
Where hearts-ease grew in the cleft! 

Oh, this barren, lonely country 
Is the land of Might-Have-Been ; 
And 'tis traversed o'er by humans, 
Everyone, when we have seen 
From its depths of devastation 
Back to meadows that were green. 
Where the clover spread miles over 
In the morning's dewy sheen; 
And the world we thought was empty. 
Was all rich and fertile there 
With the blessings of the Giver ; 
It was we who were not fair! 

Oh, lonely land of Might-Have-Been, — 
There's naught can keep me here ! 
I'll travel o'er this road no more. 
Back to streams pure and clear 



[338] 



Where living things contented are, 
No matter what the yield, 
And there's a sun and moon and stars,- 
And God's own pasture field! 



[339] 



HOME 

" Home is where the heart is." 

Where sacred fires burn upon a hearth 
That's ever bright with welcome sweet for you ; 
Where peace and comfort reign upon a throne 
More royal than a king or queen e'er knew. 

Where confidence and mutual trust abound; 
Where idle gossip never enters in ; 
Where spirit of forgiveness, all divine, 
Can understand but mortal is man's sin. 

Where love and truth hath sweet abiding place. 
In councils wise, forbearance ever true : 
This constitutes the home I dream is here 
Awaiting every claimant, — me or you. 



[340] 



TO REST 

When finished is the labor of the years, 
Which thou hast wrought in duty, pain, and 

tears. 
For others and thyself, — giv'n of thy best, — 
Hath it not seemed then, thou hast earned thy 

rest ? 

So, when for us the last day's sun hath set. 
Should we think on the task that's undone yet? 
Should we not fall asleep, as near love's breast, 
Enfolded with the thought, " 'Tis time to rest." 



[341] 



THOU SHALT NOT KILL 

Tread lightly and with reverent step, — 

Here lies a hero. 

Let every man know 

That when his country called 

He faced the foe 

And fought bravely. 

May youth emulate 

This power for good you wield 

When you died on the battlefield 

For country's honor: 

O gallant hero, 

How we worship you. 

A man is hounded until death 

Is all that will set him free; 

Goaded by strife in the battle with life, 

Which to him is an angry sea ; 

Wronged by brother, till venomous sting, 

(The last that shall ever be) 

He strikes the blow that lays him low. 

Away ! Away ! Ye cannot lay 

His corpse in holy ground ; 

The fact is proved, — it will deter, — 

He died the death of shame, 

A murderer. 



[342] 



THE OUTGONE TIDE 

When hearts are old, and arts have failed, 
And youth is but an outgone tide ; 
When all our ships to sea have sailed, 
And age waits in the portal wide ; 
Then memory dwells in sacred halls, 
As past unto the present calls : 
" Step soft ; speak low ; let tears o'erflow ; 
The heart is freed; 'tis better so." 

Let reverence then attend on thought 
That rests with all the yesterdays ; 
The loves and scenes that ne'er forgot. 
Like fragrance through the wooded ways. 
The bruised foot, the thorn, repays. 



[S43] 



" LIFE'S BEAUTIFUL ADVENTURE " 

(In memoriam Charles Frohman, May, 1915) 

The Voyager set out with smiling lips 

To cross the silver-sea, Eternity. 

" Life's beautiful adventure must be death, — 

Why should one fear or dread this thing," saith 

he. 
And reaching out, the great arms of the sea 
Lulled and cradled him to sleep complaisantly. 

The grandeur of the lesson which he taught, 
Thus played upon life's stage where all must see, 
Envelopes every wayfarer of earth. 
Exalting death, inspiring you and me ! 
When we put out across the silver-sea. 
To face the judge of men, where hearts are 

known. 
May we be ready, — conscience free as he, — 
May his assurance truly be our own. 



[3M] 



THE ELFIN'S SONG 

An elfin came whispering down from the eaves 
That lives overhead in the mulberry trees, 
I saw his brown cap, and waistcoat of white 
All varnished with silver, this sprite of the 

night, 
And perched on the rosebush, right there in the 

moon. 
He warbled this wondrous Elfinland tune: 

Earth fairies, moon fairies. 

Goblins and sprites. 
Bless thee forever, 

All earth's days and nights ! 
With gold of the sun and silver of moon 

We're making thee riches 
A-plenty, and soon. 

So bide thee all patient 
With all, and ne'er grieve. 
And we'll keep to our word, — 
Fairies never deceive. 

Now elfins, and fairies, and all wonder-folks, 
Are thought by most just to be story-book 

jokes; 
But I swear that this elfin lives over the eaves 
Where the mock-birds have built in the mul- 
berry trees. 

[345] 



LITTLE WORDS 

A LITTLE word is " hope," but oh, so sweet ; 
It is the bridge where dark and daylight meet. 

A little word is " light," but of such might, 
I love to say it o'er; 'tis soul of right. 

A little word is " love," and misused oft ; 
But on its shining wings we soar aloft. 

And God is such a tiny, tiny word, — 

But means all things e'er made or seen or heard. 



[346] 



LITTLE GIRL 

Little girl, shy and bewitching, — 

Lovely in thy modesty 
As a rose in dewy morning. 

Opening petals fair to see, — 
Thou, in life's young, pearly dawning, 

Speaketh as the rose to me. 
Gently in my heart unfolding 

Wondrous tenderness for thee. 

When the full moon shines upon thee. 

In the sunniest of day. 
May thy fragrance, all instilling, 

Sweeten all of life's pathway. 



[347] 



KING WINTER 

The trees were all dressed in soft, fleecy white, 
With long crystal fringes, — bediamond at 

night, — 
All crowned and be jeweled in such witchery 
'Twould make anyone wish they'd been born a 

tree. 

King Winter was giving his mid-season ball; 
All trees were invited, both short trees and tall ; 
Such gorgeous array as all wore this day 
To honor the king in such rivalry. 
We said to ourselves, — I, myself and me, — 
" Wouldn't anyone wish they'd been born a 
tree?" 



[348] 



LET'S 

Let us be up and away at the break of day, 
To the woods where the finches sing! 

Let us leave behind all the sordid grind 
Where the city's anvils ring! 

Let us skip and play and sing and say 
All we used to when we were kids! 

Let us listen and hear the voices clear 
Of the brook and katydids ! 

Let us be free, and see, — both you and me,- 

There's happiness for us yet; 
Let us be up and away at the break of day. 

And forget, — forget, — forget ! 



[349] 



HAPPYTOWN 

Oh, would you know the way to Happy town? 
Then come with me, but lay your worries down, 
And face the rising sun, whose glorious light 
Will add to memory's warmth in coldest night. 

And take this staff whereon to lean, my friend ; 

It will sustain until victorious end; 

Some call it Prayer, and by some Faith 'tis 

called ; 
It matters not, — just lean, and be forestalled. 

Then keep you all awake, — eyes open wide ; 
And shun Remorse, and all its gloomy tide ; 
Embark upon the sea Prosperity, 
Deciding at which port your entrance be. 

Full-sailed, with confidence, and well equipped 
And stored with Truth, beware the honey- 
lipped 
Who profit by conceit of wayfarer 
(Especially if it be She or Her). 

Then buckle on this belt, — 'twill bring you 

luck; 
There's nothing like this harness known as 

Pluck. 



[350] 



This box of goodies you will need, I know ; 
Mirth, Laughter, Jokes, and Fun. Now you 

can go, — 
And I know well one day you'll wear a crown. 
And you will meet Success in Happytown. 



[351] 



LIFE'S GOLD 

If we listen, we shall hear; 

If we look, we'll surely see. 
Yet deafened, blinded, you and I 

Pass rare scenes and music by. 

If we know, we'll only bless; 

If we feel, there's nothing less 
Sent out from the human heart; 

And our part's a little part. 

If we live for just life's gold 

(Not the kind that banks doth hold),- 
Friendship, love and sympathy, — 

Life will bless both you and me. 



[352] 



TO A POET OF THE AIR 

Little bird upon the wing, 
You are such a tiny thing 
Such a song to sing. 

If from out your little throat 
You can send that joyous note 

Through the air to ring, 
How much more ought I to do ; 
I, who sit here and am blue. 

Looking up to you? 

Help me. Lord, to sing my song 
Just as this bird cheers along 

Travelers on the way; 
Never knowing if 'tis heard. 
More than this song of a bird, 

Or if more it pays. 

He who sings for love of things, 
With no thought for what it brings. 

Sings out from the heart, — 
Plants one seed, or soothes one soul, 
Or one tattered heart makes whole, — 

Surely does his part ! 



[353] 



THE BARREN 

She knelt on the stone, the cold gray stone, 
And thanked the good God she was alone; 
That from her womb she had borne no seed 
For this harvest of war and crime and greed ! 

And the good God heard, who was God of all 
In the enemies lines as all that fall; 
For the God who was there was everywhere, 
And He heard her words as He hears each 
prayer ! 

The barren woman who did not bare. 
Who was glad to escape pain, loss, and care. 
Must return till she share hopeless despair. 
And know the rent for which there is not repair. 

For this is the earth where mortal birth 
Redeems, outlives, and makes souls of worth 
For the kingdom of heaven, where One who rules 
Is the God of the wise and the God of fools. 



[S54] 



TWO LITTLE SHOES 

Two little shoes all twisted and worn 

I hold in my hand today. 

How brave was the tot when he would cry, 

" Which way, Muvver, which way ! " 

When I would reach out my mother-arms, 

And fear, with a mother's heart. 

Lest toddling along in his first wee steps 

He would fall! (How my pulse does start!) 

Ah, little I dreamed as I guided that day 

His steps in these little worn shoes 

There'd come a day when he'd choose his own 

way,— 
The way that a mother rues ; 
When the drums beat loud and the sergeant calls 
Are echoing through the town. 
And the brave and bold, as in days of old, 
Take up the burdens and work lay down. 

Dear little shoes, there are battles we lose 
Which cannot be known or recorded be! 
The war of a woman's, a mother's heart, 
When her soldier son puts out to sea. 



[355] 



UNCURLED 

Have you ever gazed into a florist's window 
And tried to choose the flowers you'd like 
to buy; 

And wondered why you picked out the arbutus, 
And passed the rare exotic orchid by? 

Have you ever rushed by day and raised a 
window 

To hear a grinder play his " Trovatore," 
And when he wheeled his tune-box to the corner 

Wished he'd come back and play you " Leon- 



ore 



"? 



Have you ever thought, while gazing on assem- 
blies. 
The kinds of folks it takes to make a world, 
And thanked the Lord that some of them were 
simple. 
And straight-haired, and delightfully un- 
curled ? 



[356] 



VICTORY 

No granite marks the spot where this man 
resteth ; 
No word of praise carved here for merits 
rare; 
The pasture weeds press close where thrushes 
nesteth, 
And never foot of mourner tarries there. 

No loving hands entwine a garland o'er him ; 

No meed of earthly worship had he known; 
But angels pause to bow the knee before him, — 

The glory of his deeds has reached the 
throne. 



[357] 



THE STORK 

Every hour of the night and day 
I come from the land of Far- Away, 
And into a waiting cradle I lay 
A pinkish mite, and a ray of light. 
To bless the bond alway. 

Forever and aye, 
With a love that nothing can take away ! 
A golden treasure of heavenly joy ! — 
Sometimes a girl, sometimes a boy ! 
Then I tiptoe softly to the door. 
Glad that my journey at last is o'er. 
For a burden of joy on my willing wing 
I have borne from the land where angels sing; 
And only the angels count and know 
If I shall return again, or no. 
But if it is once, or though it is seven, 
The cradle is waiting here below 
For the mite from the Kingdom of Heaven. 



[358] 



ART AND FAME 

Fame looked Art in the face, and gravely said: 
" Wouldst have thy name to live when thou art 

dead ? 
Art thou prepared to walk with me today, — 
Until the end, — nor grieve, whate'er men say ? 

" Art thou prepared to suffer past belief, — 
Without surcease, — till knowest death's re- 
lief? 
Art made of stuff enduring, and so fine, 
As body weareth frail, thy soul shalt shine? 

" Dost thou agree to live only for me. 
Forsaking all thy loves, whate'er they be? " 
But trembling then. Art looked Fame in the 

eye, 
And cried, " No, Fame ! no, no. Goodby ; 

goodby ! " 



[359] 



WHAT MATTER ? 

What matter if this clay be laid away 
'Neath furrow where the wildest herds may 

graze, 
The sun its only monument for aye, 
Or silent stars of God where wind-harp plays? 

What matter if the dust which covered me 
Lends to some far-off, unfrequented place 
The flushing crimson of the autumn leaf. 
Or royal blue which marks the wild-flag's face? 

No matter; this frail husk hath served me well; 
And from it, — if my last wish might come 

true, — 
When I have taken of it sweet farewell, 
'Twill do its best, whatever it can do. 



[360] 



THE MEANING OF IT ALL 

As you look back through life, — its strugglng 

years, — 
Recalling here its pitfalls, strife, and tears, 
You ask, " What is the meaning of it all? 
To die a mite each day, and wait death's call ? " 

Then has life meant no privilege but this? 
Can you recall no joys, no love, no bliss? 
From out the pattern Life wove here for you. 
Are gratitude's fine threads, then, missing, too. 



[361] 



PURPOSE 

Some day the skies will be clearer, 
And the sun shine through the blue ; 
Some day the clouds will be lifted 
Which overshadow you. 

Some day the vision will brighten ; 
You will see with different eyes; 
Some day, the burden unlifted. 
You will gaze on different skies. 

Till then, let us prize the cloudburst. 
(What would we do without rain?) 
As we profit here by sorrow. 
Shall there be " purpose in pain." 



[362] 



I KNOW,— I KNOW 

Then let me hold your trembling hand, 
And soothe your quivering heart; 
There's naught of pain here but I know, 
And have borne, too, my part. 

It seems life holds too much of all 
That crucifies the frame; 
But life's a lesson which, to learn. 
All victors worth the name 

Must suffer for, o'ercome, or die 
In senses fine, aglow 
With all that makes this living, life: 
'Tis hard, I know, — I know. 



[363] 



HOW CAN YOU KNOW 

How can you know that what you say 
Is written on your soul this day 
In marks that ne'er effaced be, 
E'en after death hath set you free? 

How can you know that what you do 
Makes for eternity the you 
That shall be known but by the light 
You manage to keep clear and bright. 

Or bedimmed and unfed, unshed. 
By all that stifles or makes dead 
That light within, which last is you, — 
E'en faint and low, or bright and true. 



[364] 



FRAGRANCE OF THE SOUTH 

When round the pillars jasmine twines, 
And you sit 'neath the portico, — 
While parted, we, in different climes. 
Each dreaming of the long ago. 

When magnolia and Marshael Neil, — 
That luscious fragrance of the South, — 
Would sweetly soothe and o'er us steal 
Who long had known but love's dread drouth. 

We heard our wildly beating hearts. 
Marking the time for mock-bird's trill, — 
The ecstasy which love imparts, 
A summer night when all is still. 

Thus dreaming of the long ago. 

As parted we in different climes, — 

Sit you alone 'neath portico. 

Where round the pillars jasmine twines.? 



[365] 



YOUR BEST 

If you can look within your heart and say 
That you have done your very best each day, 
And grieved because that best was all too mean 
When measured by the Good you know, un- 
seen, 
Which lifts, exalts, inspires, and leads you 

here, — 
You have not failed; you have succeeded, dear. 

If you can look within, and truly say 
You followed where divine love led the way. 
And sought the truth in all to hold fast to, — 
No brother e'er misjudged because of you. 
Nor aught e'er filched from him that you might 

gain, — 
You do deserve all good, naught of life's pain. 



[366] 



ALIVE 

The world was calling for the Spring to wake ; 
The birds had wooed and chosen each a mate; 
The warm sun kissed the bosom of the lake, 
And hurried Mother Earth, lest she be late. 

The willows dressed themselves in silky gray ; 
The robin called ; the brook began to sing ; 
A lover's heart beat in a lover's way, — 
And everything alive called, " It is Spring." 



[367] 



POET-LORE 

To touch the heart, — to play upon its strings 

As human hand doth play upon a lyre, 

Bringing forth sonorous ecstasies. 

Or tones of mourning, fire, or heart's desire, — 

This is the gift, the gift a poet brings. 

Oh, there are symphonies ne'er put in notes. 

Which sweep the human heart with master 

hand. 
And place the jewel pearls 'round roses' 

throats. 
And swell the breast in pride, and make life 

grand : 
Magic of poet's soul, and eerie wand. 



[368] 



GOLD OF EARTH 

Some hoard the shining metal, 
And before it bend the knee ; 
Their hearts are there, and with it 
Wheresoever it may be. 

Their keen eyes seek gold's trade-mark 
As they pierce the pocket through; 
But take no stock in human hearts, — 
For what have they to do. 

With aught that is not bought or sold ? 
Hearts? Ha, — just pass them by. 
They never saw gold in a heart; 
No use for them to try. 

O gold of earth, what could ye do 
To buy my friends from me? 
They occupy my own heart's throne, — 
Humbly I bend the knee. 



[369] 



FACE TO FACE 

Gaze on thine image in this glass and say 
What dost thou see reflected there that's thee. 
Be not too lenient, — and turn not away, 
Nor spare thee of the fault called vanity. 
Then look within, and see thee as thou art, — 
Perchance thou hast not done so till this day ; 
But introduce thee to thyself at once, — 
It is not wise this meeting to delay. 
Look well at all thou thinkest thou dost seem; 
Look well at all thou dreamest that thou art ; 
Then know that thou hast lived but in a 

dream, — 
And, face to face, thyself know, heart to heart. 



[370] 



ADRIFT 

Along with the current rushing, 
Afar out to the sea, 
A little craft, both fore and aft 
Unweathered for storms to be. 

Today she floats with the current, 
In the sunshine buoyantly. 
And flies amast her colors fast, — 
But oh, how I dread to see 

The shattered hulk on the breakers 
That pound, as they beat and fall. 
The staunchest ships to pieces, — 
Masts that were fine and tall. 

Adrift with the battered flotsam 
Swept up by a stormy sea : 
The shore is lined with wreckage 
That might have been you or me. 



[571] 



THE MEDIOCRE SONG 

Prized is the song of the nightingale, 
The linnet, and the lark ; 
Precious as well is the mock-bird's song, 
Far flung through the hours of dark. 

The song of the thrush and bobolink 
Drop into some loving heart; 
The humble note of the robin, too, 
Plays its little part. 

Then sing with the voice God gave you. 
Nor think if the song be heard ; 
There's many a strain forgotten, 
While we treasure a note or word. 



[372] 



YE WOT NOT 

There's another world that ye wot not of, 
For your world is the world of gold and men; 
So what is the use for me to say 
I know there's no death, — that we live again. 

There's another life you shall surely know 
When you wing away from the world you love ; 
And 'tis not so far as the nearest star 
To that heavenly realm ; not in skies above. 

But all about us, those who have passed, 
Whom you think to meet but in heaven at last. 
When your life on earth you think is done 
And you pass somewhere beyond the sun. 

Strange, the other world that ye wot not of 
Is so near 'tis reached by a bridge of love ; 
And those called " dead," whom you cannot see, 
Are still on the earth with you and me. 

But — what is the use for me to say 
I know there's no death, — that we live again ; 
There's another world that ye wot not of. 
For your world is the world of gold and men. 



[373] 



THE ROBIN IN THE RAIN 

To a little humble cottage 
The stork would come right soon ; 
Busy fingers plied the needle 
Every morning, night, and noon. 
As tiny robes were fashioned out 
Of mull and lace and things, 
A robin built its summer nest 
And flapped its little wings 
But just outside the windowpane; 
Flitting out and in and out. 
It worked with might and main. 

The preparation finished in 

The early part of June 

The stork came with its bundle 

A minute after noon ; 

When the robin finished building. 

And sang a cheery tune. 

All through the rainy evening 
It called and called so plain 
That the baby was named " Robin " 
For the robin in the rain. 

The months have flown since summer ; 
'Tis most summertime again. 
They have borne him to the churchyard 
Along the flowery lane, 

[374] 



Returning empty-handed 
With hearts so wrung by pain, 
The wind seemed sobbing, " Rob-in ; 
Oh, — Robin — in the rain." 

There's a story old and hoary 
(You know it can't be told) 
How a robin's plaintive little note 
A mother's heart doth hold. 

Best of all, oh, best of all things 
The old world holds today. 
Is the throb of mother-feeling 
No lips can ever say. 



[S75] 



PEACE 

Peace, spread your snowy pinions o'er the na- 
tions of the world ; 

From every staff on land or craft let a white 
flag be unfurled. 

" Thou shalt not kill." It reads that way. 
He did not say, 

" Unless, ye rob life's sands 

For principles or freedom, or little scraps of 
lands." 

Helpers, neighbors, — brothers all, — 
Give aid to each when each may fall, 
And do not live in strife the little while we're 

here. 
Life ends too soon, — too soon we reach the 

bier. 

Then live, that we may feel 
We've never caused a heart to cease, 
Nor tear to flow from orphan's eye, 
Nor widow's home made drear, — 
But we have tried for peace. 



[376] 



MY MONUMENT 

TO A TREE 

FRIENDLY tree, 

Thou hast sheltered many from storm and sun 
As thou art shielding me. 

Thou hast cradled many a babe to rest 
Upon thy safe and motherly breast, 
And soothed many an heart at eve 
Tenderly, with thy crooning leaves. 

1 would that when I die 

(For not as you, dear tree, am I), 

I would that I might rest, if it were best, 

Deep, deep, near thee, — 

No nobler shaft than ye. 

Enduring friend, for me. 



[377] 



FRIENDSHIP 

A SURE, safe path, forged through the wilder- 
ness; 
A beaten track on waste and desert sands ; 
A link of steel welding great hearts of gold; 
The clasp, though space divide, of steady hands ; 
Uninterrupted flow of constancy; 
Treasures serene, of sacred memory ; 
A harvest rich of flowers from seeds well strewn. 
Through morning, night, and trying afternoon. 
Moistened by tears true sympathy doth shed, 
Nurtured by soil of loyalty, and fed 
By earth's most rare and undervalued food; 
All understanding, being understood. 
And this is friendship: (in the world too few). 
And this is one friend's tribute, dear, to you. 



[378] 



PROFIT 

It profiteth me naught 
To speak unkind of thee; 

In judgment of thy lot 
I would not censor be. 

To keep my windows clean, 
My house well swept within, 

Taketh all time of mine, 
Keeping me free of sin. 

It profiteth me naught 

To blame or censure thee; 

I am but what I am ; 

Thou art what thou wouldst be. 



[379] 



RECOMPENSE 

The saddest heart can ever find some solace; 

The hopeless breast can see some ray of 
light ! 
The stars overhead are viewless in the sunshine, 

Man never knew their wonders but for night ! 

The friendless life hath blessings grief assuages ; 

The loveless one hath hungry hearts to bless ; 
Repaid is man for sorrow through all ages, 

And many helped because of your distress. 



[380] 



MINE 

You may take my gold, and house, and lands, 
But the gift of the Giver within my hands. 
Which is mine, and me, — which no man can 

see, — 
That is mine own ! always shall be ! 

You may rob my heart and filch my life 
Of the treasures of love, and leave me strife; 
You may lash my bones to the sinking mast 
Till they rest on the floor of the sea at last; 

But that which is mine, — which you cannot 

see, — 
Will still be mine, and belong to me. 



[381] 



HARMONY 

A DEWY summer morn, when the corn was wav- 
ing) 
And the lark's song burst, like rockets, to- 
ward the sky, 
And every growing thing, in joyousness tip- 
toeing. 
Expressed its gratitude — everything but 
I — 
Walking through the meadows where butter- 
cups a-growing. 
All gold just like a web I know of golden hair, 
I paused to note a glow-worm, a glory of the 
night. 
Slumbering on a thistle ; its life was even fair ! 

A moonlight winter eve when the frost was 
shining, 
I wandered forth alone 'midst beauties of the 
night ; 
Wrapt in its silent shroud, earth was not re- 
pining ; 
All was peace and purity ; all was holy light ; 
Not a sound of tumult in the earth or sky, — 
In God's song was everything, everything 
but I. 



[382] 



SOME DAY 

Some day, when the clouds have scattered 
And the sun shines forth again, 

We will know how much it mattered 
To our souls, these days of pain. 

Some day, when the heart seems tattered 
And the hot tears fall like rain, 

Know the rare flowers would not blossom 
Did the sunshine never wane! 

Some day we would pass in gladness 
O'er the path now rough and long, 

And regret each hour of sadness 

Spent through life in fancied wrong. 



[383] 



BE PATIENT 

" Be patient," the Winter said, 

As he covered the Earth with snow; 

" Be patient, the Spring will wake. 
As it longs to blossom and grow ! " 

" Be patient," said Life to me. 
When my heart was overcast ; 

" Be patient awhile, mine own. 
All love shall be thine at last." 



[384] 



AFTER ALL 

After all is said and done, and spun, — 
Creeds, forms, and histories, — 
We face the same unraveled truths 
Apparent in God's mysteries ! 
Little minds of men may delve and shelve 
Philosophies and isms. 
With all their comfortless enigmas 
Various rainbow prisms. 
But after all is said, and done, and spun, — 
Where does the thinker stand, but where he first 
begun ! 



[385] 



FRAIL LITTLE MEN 

Can you look through the soul (e'en of your- 
self) 

And say just what you are, or what belongs 
to you? 

Men try, — frail little men ; and some think 
that they know; 

And yet these walk under night's canopy of 
stars, 

And ne'er look up, but down. 

Who can look in the heart, and not look up 
and see 

But one of God's own mysteries, e'en master- 
pieces, he. 



[a86] 



HALT AND BLIND 

If you go near the precipice's edge, you may fall 

o'er: 
Or, entering the whirlpool, may go down. 
If fate has placed you in the cyclone's path, 
You must be swept along. 

And those who think to play with fire unharmed ; 
Or wink at crime, and take her scabby hand. 
Remaining pure, unscarred. 
These make the human scrap-heaps we must see 
So long as puny mankind thinks that he 
Can e'er protect himself 
When he would halted be. 



[587] 



HIS OWN 

" Now I lay me down to sleep," 

Fearing naught from harm or hate ; 

Knowing God doth ever keep 

Watch o'er His, early and late. 

" I pray the Lord my soul to keep." 
What is His own. His own must be ; 

In confidence, I cannot weep. 

Since all that's Thine is well with Thee. 

" If I should die before I wake," 

I'll live where Thou hast planned for me ; 
And as I live for Thy dear sake. 

So passing, shall I be with Thee. 

" I pray the Lord my soul to take," 
So soon as life's book I have learned ; 

And give me strength, until that day 
To know each blessing must be earned. 



[388] 



A LITTLE PATCH OF SUNSHINE 

A LITTLE patch of sunshine 

Lay on the meadow grass, 
And smiled contentedly 

Though none that way did pass. 

She came along a starry path 

And sifted through the trees, 
And danced and played so cheerfully, 

Embracing all the leaves ! 

She rested in the clover's heart. 

She helped along the bees. 
Just glad to shine and warm and glow ; 

She couldn't help but please! 

And thus it is with you and me ; 

Though none may look, or care to see, 
A little patch of sunshine 

Each loving heart can be, 
And warm and cheer and glow and smile. 

And shine contentedly! 



[389] 



BROKEN 

There were days when the sun was not shining, 
Though 'twas lavish with spilled gold; 
There were times when the heart was downcast, 
With nothing to grasp or hold. 

There were nights, — O God, were they endless? 
Would you live them o'er for dawn's sake? 
Is there anything that the world can give 
Which pays for the hearts that break? 

There are lives all broken, uncherished. 
As derelicts of the sea; 

What kindly fate was it which succored us. 
That unnumbered among them are we. 



[390] 



NATURE'S OLDEN WAY 

The willow mourned, and shed its leaves ; 

The maples, blushing red, 
A Persian carpet o'er the earth 

For Winter's steps had spread. 

Garnered the meadow's waving grain ; 

The hillside's fruit was gathered ; 
The furry-folk were scurrying; 

To southward flew the feathered. 

To sleep until the springtime, 
Return with sunny weather, — 

Ah, this is Nature's olden way; 
Let us fare on together. 



[391] 



THINKING THOUGHTS 

'Tis the way you think, not what you say, 
That will bring sunshine in the wake of day 
For what you think in your heart, is you ; 
And whate'er you think, you will be, or do. 
'Tis for you to choose your colors true — 
To fall with the many, or rise with the few. 

'Tis the way 3^ou think, not what you say. 
That will bring success and banish away 
The gloom of failure you call " hard-luck " 
When the situation needs but pluck 
To think the thought that the best is due 
And that nothing less belongs to you. 



[392J 



A SILVER STRAND 

There are souls so cramped by the mortal 

frame, 
That would wing on high from whence they 

came, 
But are tethered to earth by a silver strand 
Which is surely held by an angel hand. 

There are souls so fine, in this husk so rude, 
That they live and thrive but on spirit food ; 
And my own is sickened, and gravely sad, 
When I hear you say, " All men are bad." 



[393] 



LIFE 

Life is a block of granite : 

Day by day we chisel out 

The subject we have chosen. 

With steady hand, trained eye, and skill. 

We hew the flinty rock 

Till one day, lo, some semblance 

To the thing we had in mind, we see. 

When interest grows, more earnestly we toil. 

And smooth, and polish all. 

At last, complete, we see what we have made,- 

An everlasting credit to a name. 

Or there embolden, hewn for all of time, 

The failure of ourselves, — 

Ideals we saw, and tried, and failed to be. 



[394] 



IN THE SHADE 

It may be you must grow within the shade, — 
That you were meant for dark or quiet glade 
Where all the tenderest fronds put forth unseen 
Their lovely, lacelike leaves of fairy green. 

It may be you have never known the sun, 

Or glimpsed the place where fragrant flowers 

are spun 
Within the gold and warmth of open day ; 
No single beam, perhaps, has crossed your way. 

It may be you were meant in shade to grow ; 
We cannot choose where we would be, you know : 
But there are flowers and folk which ne'er knew 

light, _ 
Having their loved and holy place of might ; 
And if it be that thou art one of these, — 
Think of the Spring, and its wood-beauties, 

please. 



[395] 



LITTLE FOES 

If little foes that hide within the dark 
And use one's every effort as a mark 
For shrapnel deadly as to warriors known, 
But knew of all foes they're their very own, — 

If little foes who lurk to injure us 

Could know where most their ugly wounds 

abide, — 
They'd fling their weapons into Misery's sea, 
And come out in the light, nor harm nor hide. 



[396] 



COMMON CLAY 

'Tis thought by most that we who constitute 
The scribbler class must at all times be mute 
And thinking thoughts somewhere beyond the 

sky; 
Never to be just like folks should we try. 

'Tis funny, — oh, 'tis fun I say, to see 
These goggles looking through the soul of me ; 
And so it is we're not just common clay ; 
We're either better or worse off than they. 



L397J 



NO MORE 

No more thy silver lute will fling 

Its message on the wind; 
No more the harp of thy pure heart, 

In mine its echo find; 

No more the sighs of ecstasy 
O'er singer's note or song, — 

For thou art now a part of these, 
To heaven thou didst belong. 

But oh, within my inmost heart. 
Where fondest memories be, 

I'll ever keep thy sacred room 
All thine in sanctity. 



[398] 



GOOD-BY, OLD YEAR 

GooD-BY, Old Year ; 

I hate to see you leave. 

Many a day most dear 

Unto my heart will cleave 

Until I die. 

Only the foolish cry ; 

But I hate to say good-by, Old Year,— 

I hate to say good-by. 

Friends true are few, 

And you have been my friend ; 

No kinder Time than you 

Can Heaven send. 

If we might die 

Together, you and I, 

We would not say good-by. Old Year,- 

We would not say good-by. 

But Time goes on ; 

With years and friends we part. 

Promise of dawn 

Strengthens at eve, ah, many a heart. 

To rest is best 

When finished is the quest ; 

A tear. Old Year, on thy still breast. 



[399] 



"IN THE SILVER MORNING SEA" 

(Painting in Royal Academy of Arts, by Samuel Reid) 

When the blinding veil is lifted, 

And our finite eyes may see 

The glories of the vision 

Of immortality, — 

Will the mists of earth forsake us, 

Blank become life's memory, 

When our barque puts out for heaven 

" In the Silver Morning Sea "? 

Or with new sight all enraptured. 

Will earth's woes be forgot. 

With its memories of gladness 

Lost in some happier lot ? 

Is the unknown land so far away. 

They call Eternity, 

There's no returning, once we've crossed 

" The Silver Morning Sea "? 

Or is that sea right here with me? 

Do I stand on its strand 

While is it possible for thee 

To lead me b}^ the hand 

Where you have crossed, until I be 

Unveiled at last immortally. 

And know in life, — when chains are free, — 

There is no death: thou art here with me? 



[400] 



THE PASSER-BY 

Out of a stainless heaven 

(No debtor to you or me) 

A little child is given 

To love devotedly. 

Departing sun when day is done, — 

How dark can be night's sky 

Is only known to every one 

An angel passeth by ! 

Fragrant dream of loveliness 

From the Land-of-Love 

Where tangled rainbows glisten 

In a sky above, 

Comes maid of witching sweetness ; 

The time you look on her, 

You know by all the symbols 

That in you are astir. 

You'd always find it easy 

To be her worshipper ! . . . 

But tears fall on your unkissed cheek 

(First manly tears to cry) ; 

A rival takes her from you, — 

Your own, a passer-by ! 

Seek the humid warmth of eyes 
(Like there are no others) 
Understanding, always know 
The thrills that pass 'tween lovers. 

[401] 



But life's mask is feebler grown; 
A call comes that is Mother's : 
Church choir sings " Sweet by-and-by,' 
Our best friend — passeth by. 
The game of fame as hide-and-seek 
We play, and lay down with the weak ; 
And Life at last, 'gan with a cry, 
Is ended with a broken sigh. 
And this is what it means to live. 
As well as means to die? — 
A seeking, — finding, — vanishing: 
Merely — passing by. 



[402] 



IN THE SPRINGTIME 

So my days on earth are counted, 

When as mortal I must be ; 

As tender Spring puts forth again, 

Field grass will cover me 

In that little village churchyard 

Where my folks sleep tranquilly, 

Soothed by whispers from the meadows 

And the requiem of the sea. 

When the earth shall wear new garments 

And all nature promise gives, 

I shall share, at last. His promise. 

Where my Father lives. 

As my spirit dons its mantle, 

Sheds this husk, outworn and small. 

In the Springtime of my soul, 

Let no tear-drops fall. 

Would you weep when May-flowers blossom 

From the earth but now seemed dead? 

Would you grieve when springtime leaves 

Put forth overhead? 

Are you not glad when Winter's past, 

And Spring come in its stead? 



[403] 



A PRESCRIPTION 

I KNOW a man who says he's old ; 
And he's as old as old can be. 
His hide is wrinkled up like cream; 
One eye is blind, — he scarce can see ; 
And 3^et he's only forty-three. 

I saw a maid who says she's young ; 
And she is young, as all can see. 
Her rose-leaf skin is like a babe's, 
Her hair is golden as can he : 
And yet, this maid is ninety-three. 



[404] 



" SOMEBODY " SAID : 

Somebody dropped a word or two ; 

Somebody told the tale ; 
(" Somebody " started right here with you ; 

Think of it, — do not fail). 

Somebody added a mystery 

(Somebody who could mix) ; 
Some one " supposed " a chapter more ; — 

Got somebody in a fix. 

When Somebody's head was bursting, 
For the things that Somebody said, 

Somebody added the finis ; — 
Then Somebody's sick in bed. 

Somebody stands, a vulture. 

Over poor Somebody's bones. 
Doubtful where Somebody's gone at last: 

Pile on the sticks and stones ! 



[4f05] 



LIVE AND LET LIVE 

I LOVE to play with simple words 

That all can understand, 
And little themes of everyday, — 

The problem just at hand. 

I love to do the little things 

That others leave undone 
Because they are such little things 

They're shunned by every one. 

I'd love to play the little part 

That elevates the whole, — 
A word or two, a deed or two, 

Bespeaking heart and soul. 

I know 'tis only trifles make 

This fine mosaic life, 
Where every piece its pattern forms 

Complete though hewn with strife. 

And, after all, if we but knew 

The joy a mite can give, 
We'd never rest till you and I 

Attached, " Live and let live," 

To be our motto everywhere 
In the land that gave us birth. 

Till little words, and thoughts, and deeds, 
Supplant the woes of Earth. 

[406] 



FAERY SPRING 

Every rippling brooklet, 

Rumbling on its way 
Through the whispering woodland 

Strewn with blossoms gay, 
Sings a song of gladness: 

" Oh, at last 'tis May ! " 

Every little birdling 

In the pine or birch 
Practices a spring song, 

Swinging in God's church. 
Till the fields and meadows 

Send the larks to search 
For the feathered darlings 

Frolicsome with play, — 
'Cause the Spring is here again ! 

Oh, at last 'tis May! 



[407] 



RESOLVED 

Forget the gloom. 

Adjust the loom, 

And try again 

A pattern new; 

Leave out pain. 

Blue is the color of fair skies, 

Where promise lies ; 

Then you need blue. 

Forget the gloom. 

Make room for rosy strands. 

Within thy hands 

The threads all idle lie ; 

I cannot weave for you. 

Then try thy colors well. 
Make each strand tell 
Towards fabric staunch and true; 
And work no thread into the woof 
Thou canst not look upon 
At last thy task is done. 

Thou canst not shun the pattern ; 
'Tis thine own, thy best, — 
The threads, a test 
Of thy true self. 

Lest thou be judged amiss for this, 
For light make room, — 
Forget the gloom. 
[408] 



THE SWORD OF SELMA 

Great Wilson's sword was placed within my 

hand, 
Sword of that lofty hero of our land. 
I could have knelt all reverently to this, 
My loving lips its sacred hilt would kiss. 

O treasured relic of War's day and time, 

Thy warrior's valorous deeds were all-sublime. 

Possessed by him, thou art an honored blade. 

No soldier in our mighty land e'er paid 

To country's fame, posterity, or glory. 

Deeds nobler than entwine thy deathless story. 

With Time must every hero's soul pass on; 
But deeds like thine remain. So when the dawn 
Doth break, and at " the call " in thy life's ride, 
Thy name will live within the hearts of men : 
Hero and sword, thou art the Nation's pride ! 



[409] 



A LITTLE HALTING MESSAGE 

A LITTLE, halting message 

Was sent out on the night 
To help men bear their burdens, 

And make them see the light. 
It fluttered 'round and 'round about, 

Lost to the sender's e3"es, 
And e'en forgotten of the heart 

Which sung of God's own skies. 

But in a little room all bare, 

A soul went seeking God ; 
And that same halting message 

Was the sole sustaining rod 
On which the poor discouraged leaned. 

(It spoke of love divine; 
And through the night of agony, 

Love's steady ray did shine.) 

'Twas pinned upon the coverlet, — 

Perhaps he said it o'er 
Until his earthly sight grew dim. 

And he reached heaven's shore. 
A little halting message, 

A word or two of right. 
May be the seed of forests, vast 

In their sheltering might. 



[410] 



THE GIFT 

Then give to me, if from all bounty I may 

choose, 
A conscience clear, which rues 
No day nor hour ill spent ; 
That, having all to do again. 
Would follow the same paths, 
And naught repent. 



[411] 



ANGELIC VOICE 

(Sembrich's "Silent Tears") 

The magic of a woman's voice, 

Like silver threads spun of the moon, — 

Ecstasy too fine for the heart's silence, 

At the utmost pinnacle of tune ! 

" Bravo ! " escapes our lips 

When we are like to swoon. 

Thy flute of human tones ! 

Sighs, calls, and moans 

As never instrument gave forth! 

The emotions of angels, 

When in Paradise they might rejoice, 

May sound for me again 

The harmony of thy angelic voice ! 



[412] 



A CROSS 

He left a wife and child when country called him ; 

He bravely fought for his loved fatherland; 
He sacrificed love, home, and gave his life up ; — 

He held a little iron cross in his hand. 



[413] 



" WEAVING " 

Meadows all a-whisper, 

Daisies in the grass, 

Hearts of gold a story hold 

For you, my lad and lass ! 

Summer winds a-quiver 

Crinkle up the river 

Where the white wings pass! 

One by one with hearts of gold 

This the song the daisies told : 

" Oh, life, with its losses and gains. 

Weaving its daisy chains ! 

Each with a grace 

And a pure, smiling face, 

Weaving its daisy chains ! 

Love, with its pleasures and pains ! 

Time, with its sunshine and rains ! 

War, with its valor and stains ! — 

Weaving, weaving, weaving. 

Weaving its daisy chains ! " 

Leaves all turned to crimson, 

Falling on the ground! 

Story told, that's old, — so old, — 

Of a new-made mound; 

Winter snows a-sifting, 

Icy clouds a-drifting 

In the skies abound! 

One by one with flaming cheek, 

[4^14] 



This is the tale the leaves bespeak: 
" Oh life, with its light and shade, 
A wreath on a grave we've laid ! 
At last the sere and fallen leaf! 
The spirit fled, but left the sheaf ! 
But naught is lost, if a garland weaves 
Fond memories of our loving leaves 
Till in that spring we shall be seen, 
And kept for aye, — aye, — evergreen ! " 



[4*15] 



EVERYBODY'S HAVEN 

A PLAIN, high, solid structure. 

All covered o'er with vines ; 

A vast expanse of green around; 

Pillars where rose entwines; 

The holly-hocks as sentinels 

Guarding the portico 

Where restful armchairs wait to greet 

The ones that need them so ! 

A portal wide and spacious, — 

Ne'er under lock or key, — 

W^here every homeless one could find. 

Without cold charity, 

A welcome smile of cheerful kind. 

Which bade them not to roam : — 

And this is what I call in dreams, 

My " Everybody's Home." 

Attached to this, — for all who found 
Such peace of life within 
They longed to take up living near 
Where they'd contented been, — 
Broad acres, tilled and fertile land. 
Abundant, free, and rich. 
Where these shall have the right to work. 
Instead of in the ditch ; 
And profit share in all the crops. 
As mutual owners, free from harm: — 
And this is what I dream I own, — 
An " Everybody's Farm." 
[416] 



Across the road, set on a hill, 

A meeting-house for all who pray ; 

Where neither creed nor altar cross 

Send a traveler on his way ; 

But whosoever with his God 

Would sit apart, or speak aloud. 

Or take from here to his last rest, 

With prayer and hope, one in his shroud; 

Where never quarrels nor sects besmirch : — 

My dream-church, " Everybody's Church." 



[417] 



THE SIGNAL 

I CALLED to the night with its wondrous stars, 
And freedom's flag with its union and bars ; 
I spoke to the winds and the tides and the sea, — 
" Why cannot mankind know liberty? " 

The night grew darker, and black and gray; 
The flag of freedom waved day by day : 
The winds communed with the tides and sea; 
But nothing, — nothing would answer me ! 

I saw the fields lay waste in the rain. 
And soldiers trample the full ripe grain; 
I saw what the subjects of thrones endure ; 
Homes fatherless, sonless ; all rich, all poor. 

And the darkest night that the world has known 
Sent back in answer, " These are mine own." 
But the Flag of Freedom spoke to me, 
" I am waving a signal across the sea." 



[«8] 



CASTLE OF DELIGHT 

I DREAMT I was a princess 

In a castle called " Delight," 
Where the fairies came and fetched me 

As I slept at home one night. 
But I woke to find a dungeon, 

And a cell with shackle-chains. 
And a jailer who was crabbed. 

Even blind to human pains ! 

I dreamt I was a prisoner 

In a fortress far from home. 
With a gun, on picket duty, 

Through long days and nights alone 
But I woke to find my country 

All at peace, — where all were free ; 
And I traded off my castle 

For this dream of liberty ! 



[419] 



TO HONOR BRIGHT 

I MET a pilgrim down the road 
That wends unto the West ; 

He asked of me which way to turn, — 
What path I deemed the best. 

" And what seek ye ? " I questioned him. 

" And whither would'st thou go? 
D<?termined must this e'er be, first; 

As paths are high and low." 

" I long to reach the rainbow, sir ; " 
Saith Pilgrim-of-the-road ; 
" 'Tis said there is no sorrow 
At its end, and nary load ! " 

" But, stranger, were ye never told 
That heavens weep ere bow is seen ? 

As beauteous, 'tis fleeting, too, — 
A melting, glorious sheen ? 

" The way of all ways ye must shun, 
Would seem the rainbow way; 

For once ye seek this unfound thing, 
Thou'll search till Judgment Day." 



[420] 



" The primrose path, then, will I take ; 

Though crushed the flowers 'neath foot 
must be ; 
A path all flowery holds no wrath ; — 

Show me the primrose path ! " 

" No wrath ? But such holds sobs 
And aches, and, oh, such biting pain 

As never you'll be free from, while 
You live on earth, again ! " 

" Then, what path do you say is best? 

Thy judgment to this test! 
Choose me a way ; I will pass on ; 

To thee, I trust the rest ! " 

" Then, brother, while the sun is high, 
And there is time, — ere night, — 

I bid thee choose fine honor's path, 
The simple road of right. 

" Along this road no fragile flower 

That lives but for a day 
E'er blooms for thee, — and thee alone ; 

You plod along a way 

" All thorny, slippery, hard, indeed, 

No matter what your meed ; 
And all your energy 'twill take 

From greed to keep it freed ! 

[421] 



" But standing firm, and trudging on, 

A light will glow ahead. 
To brighten your declining years 

And bless you when you're dead ! " 



[4^2] 



IF- 



If you have found within the portals here, 
A resting place, a place of joy and cheer. 
Where comradeship, true fellowship, abound 
In those staunch bonds, — than gilt-edged e'en 

more sound ; 
And you have walked in peace the heathered 

lane. 
With shouldered scythe, content with labor's 

gain; 
And rested through the storm 'neath that great 

tree 
Which shelters all who seek its boughs (e'en you 

and me) : — 
If you have slept content, when day was done. 
Nor borrowed fear lest the tomorrow's sun 
Would see just debts o'er due, unmet; — 
Then, then, I say, that you have lived " the 

life " ; 
The world owes you no debt. 



[423] 



HOW LITTLE 

Life held a torch in her upreaching hand, 

And said, " This is the way ; 
But walk here and all things shall you com- 
mand." 

I had not time e'en to say yea or nay. 

Love held a bauble in her perfect palm : 

" Aye beautiful is this ! 
But grasp it and henceforth thou'll know its 
balm ! " 

Not time had I e'en for love's bliss. 

Fate held a spear and pressed me on. 

Footsore, weary, and wan ; 

I would have turned back now to seek Life's 

light,— 
Fate prodded me ahead through murky night ! 

Thus all I know of Life or Love today 

Is just the memory 
Of beauteous, outreaching, blessed hands ! 

And yet you say we choose each our own 
way! — 
How little, then, of life man understands. 



[424] 



SUCH IS LIFE 

If we could look on life as just a game 

In which the stakes were love, plenty, or fame. 

And we could know what card to play, and 

when, — 
Being apt students of successful men ; 

Or, we could think a canvas was this life, 
And with an artist's skill, and colors rife, 
We'd lay on scene to last for all of time 
All beautiful in harmony or rhyme ; 

Or, thinking on this life as just a book 
We're writing day by day, with word or look, 
Which men shall ponder on when we have passed, 
And written all the chapters first to last. — 

Instead, we feel that life was something thrust 
Upon our helpless souls ; to live we must. 
Until the longed-for end when we can die ; 
Thus you're no better than you are, — nor I. 



[425] 



WHITHER 

The years roll by ! 

The mileposts' numbers grow ; 
And if we'll reach the next, 

Who of us here know? 
What were the loss or gain 
In joy or pain, 
Had Time's strong wing 
Not borne us hither? 
What is the cross or stain, 
Along the next lap lain. 
Waiting our tether? 
The years roll by, 
And passing, you and I 
Cry, Whither? 
Whither? 



[426] 



OWNED 

The artist saw in her face a dream, 
And he painted it a bright sunbeam. 

In drooping eyehds and pouting lips 

He ghmpsed a fountain where Cupid sips, 

And the love-bird dips ! 

His brush was sure, — but his heart was 

faint ; 
And time wings by, regardless of paint. 

What he saw and pictured she never knew 

(For bashful artists there are, a few). 

" The Sunbeam " is owned by one never 

guessing 
All that the canvas is expressing. 
And thus it is in the mart of love, — 
To be owned by the lion, lost to the dove. 



[427] 



A FADELESS WREATH 

" Help me to weave a laurel wreath 

To place upon the bier 
Of one whose multitude of gifts 

Endeared him to all here." 

" His generous gifts of shining gold? " 

I questioned of my friends ; 
" Ah, no ; the priceless gifts within, 

The ones which heaven lends." 

Thus wove he his own fadeless wreath. 

Entwined with immortelle. 
The while he lived kind thoughts and deedj 

No graven letters spell. 



[428] 



LAURELS 

Ten strove for fame, a laureled brow : 
An hundred strove for riches, gold ; 

And one for wealth of happiness. 

Whose altar fires can ne'er grow cold. 

Ten, by the whirlpool's vortex whipped 
And lashed and torn and sadly worn, 

Looked on the bauble grudged to them, 
And called the world a place forlorn. 

An hundred rose by stealth and greed. 
To think on gold as burdened care, 

And longed to free their fettered names, 
All disrespected everywhere. 

And one, called poor by worldly friends. 
Gave out his store and made amends 
For hunger, pain, and woe, and care ; 
While unseen hands embroidered dreams. 

Within a Selfless heart so rare, 
Out of the shimmering web of love 

Thev found entwined there. 



[429] 



WHEN DAY IS DONE 

" At last," he said, " the day is done, 
With all its turmoil, and its sun; 

Now will I rest in shadows cool. 

Beside some brook, or flower-flung pool. 

At last the victory is won, 

And I can rest; the day is done." 

But when, after a long spans' strife. 

The sun was lowering, — sun of life, — 

They mourned and grieved, — would have him 
live. 

And off'ered all their wealth to give. 

But just a few years to his span! 
And thus it was, since life began. 



[430] 



YOU AND I 

You cannot take my place for me 
When death comes knocking at my door; 
For 'tis my heart must cease to beat, 
Though you would save me, and adore. 

You cannot take my place on earth, 
Nor suffer, living life for me ; 
Though you are mine and I am yours. 
And through my very soul you see. 

For I am I, and you are you, — 
The while we live, when we must die: 
So must each learn and suffer here ; 
Nor shall I cry, that I am I. 



[431] 



MONA LISA 

Wheee had I seen this face before ; 

Why do I still recall this gaze 

With its searchlike orbs that haunt me, more 

Than a thousand different ways ? 

What had she been ; and what was she ? 
And what was behind those deep, sad eyes, 
That ever a question seem to ask, 
And never to one replies ! 

Ah, had she known all a heart could know, 

Or never a love or a joy had she? 

Was her soul all calmed by some burnt out 

fire. 
Or ahungered, perhaps, could it be? 

Apast the bourne had those steady eyes 

seen — 
And afar in some star, afore time been? 
Or, w^ells of silence for crime unbidden, 
Had life been blighted, its virtues hidden? 

O eyes, no replies come back to my cries ! 
And I never can help, and never know. 
If tears and pain cleared your vision like rain. 
Or if, clairvoyant, it passed to and fro ! 



[432] 



AT CHRISTMASTIDE 

Can jou lock up your gold 
In a sure, f afe place, 
And, forgetting the poor, 
Wear a smile on your face 
At Christmastide? 

Can you see an army, 
Anhungered and thin, 
Shut out in the cold 
While you're closed warm within 
At Christmastide? 

Can you shower on the rich 
All your gifts untold. 
And expend all your means 
Where gold brings only gold 
At Christmastide? 

Can you think of a surer day of bliss 

On a Merrie Christmas than just this: 

Feed one, — clothe one, — house one, — that 

needs ; 
Shield one, — help one, — hear one, — who 

pleads ! 
" Peace on the earth, good will toward men " 
Will come to us then, — and only then. 



[433] 



HER CHOICE 

An angel stood with gifts o'erladen. 
And saith unto a lovely maiden : 
" Choose for thine own, of all I carry, 
Whate'er thou wilt. I cannot tarry. 
Neither can I pass this way again. 
Have care lest, choosing that which 
Thou dost covet, it give thee pain." 

" This priceless pearl of love, this perfect gem. 
Rare as the one flower blossoming on the stem, 
If thou dost give me, I for aye will wear; 
The pearl of love is of your gifts most rare." 

" 'Tis thine for but the asking," then quoth she 
Who bore of precious gifts such treasury. 
The light died from the gem's pure face 
Ere youth had passed ; its dying all could trace. 
For she who chose and deemed love's gift the 

best 
Ne'er gave of love from out her selfish breast. 

Then stood the angel near a pale, thin form 
Of one who knew not when day came or went ; 
In ill-paid toil her days, — her years, — were 
spent. 



[434] 



" Choose," said the one o'erladen with the gifts. 
" I see not there that which my prayer uplifts, — 
The dearest, most impossible ; the best 
That heaven could hold: dear angel, give me 
rest." 



[435] 



DEAR GIRL 

Dear Girl on the threshold, with robe all so 

white, 
And soul shining pure through your eyes, ah, so 

bright. 
Would you list to a voice from the room you'd 

step in. 
Ere you know aught of strife in the world, or its 

sin? 

Dear Girl, in life's store for you, there's all 

that's fair; 
All you've dreamed of, and more, in wealth past 

compare ; 
Awaiting your claim are treasures so rare ; 
But beset by, embedded in, snares everywhere! 

Dear Girl, there's a way to your idolized dream ; 
If you'll look past the present, be led by Truth's 

gleam. 
Undeceived by the things of the world as they 

seem, — ■ 
Thy course will be clear as the spring's crystal 

stream. 



[436] 



Dear Girl, have a care where thy dear footsteps 

lead 
For 'tis just at life's close we can see clear life's 

need. 
The things which count most are the things gold 

can't buy, 
But the treasures we carry from earth to the 

sky. 



[437] 



NATURE'S MIRROR 

Gaze in this pool and tell me what you see ; 
Bend low, that all thy visage may reflected be ; 
Be honest, as you would to your own heart, — 
What seest of thyself the mirrored part? 

" I see the sky, — the wondrous sky. 
Unshadowed by a cloud thereby ; 
A glorious dome of God's own azure blue 
And then I see myself, — my image true. 

" I see a face, careworn and lined by years ; 
The setting for far-seeing eyes, whose tears 
Now fall into the placid pool 
(The sun and sky rebuking as a fool), 
Disturbing here its smooth and quiet face ; — 
Before I came, but beauty it did trace." 

Then look about you where all else doth smile ; 
See, and tell me, were it not worth your while 
To take a hint from Nature all so glad. 
And brighten up thy face so gravely sad "? 



[438] 



THE WAGE EARNER 

No flowery way she trod. 
Faith in the living God 
But kept her bruised feet 
In the straight path 

Where storms rent all asunder, in their 

wrath, 
The very heavens she trusted in. 
And side by side there ran the path of sin. 

Thin and frail, unnourished, pale. 
Half-clothed, — all wanting, — Virtue led 
Her living soul among the living dead. 



[439] 



PAID IN FULL 

No whisperin' trees in the wind at night 
But cries her name I did not treat right ! 
The owl, an' the finch, an' the whippoorwill, 
Call to my heart till it stops most still ! 

An' the car-wheels talk, as I flee away ; 
All night, all night, they call and say, 
" Can-you-rest, can-you-rest, 
With-what's-in-your-breast ; 
Can-you-rest, can-you-rest ! " 

She was mine, to do with as I would ! 
An' I flayed her heart, — because I could. 
I know too late, she was good, — how good ! 

There it is again, — do you hear that bell. 
Making the spire a thing of hate? 
Yes, the outside world it calls to prayer; 
But to me it says, " Too late ! 

Too late ! " 

O God, take me out of this world of care. 
For my conscience tortures me everywhere! 
An' I've paid the price, aye, o'er and o'er! 
Remorse like this I can bear no more. 



[440] 



SIDE BY SIDE 

Sorrow walked sad-eyed with Woe; 
Joy held Hope upon her breast ; 
Doubt was sheltered by Fear's door ; 
Contentment ever supped with Rest; 
Truth was always found with Light; 
Eternal Might was clasped with Right ; 
Hate had harbored Malice ever; 
Youth and Summer naught could sever ; 
Age with Winter was the rule ; 
Trust was pupil in Faith's school; 
Jealousy with envy stalked ; 
Scandal e'er with Gossip talked ; 
Gold won Riches e'en by Stealth ; 
Poverty was chum of Wealth ; 
Solitude and Thought were friends ; 
Conscience and Silence made amends. 



[441] 



BEGIN OVER 

Begin again! 

The pain you knew, forget ! 
Today the skies are blue; 

The yester sun has set! 

Once more — eyes afore, head high,- 
With smiles and hopes forever nigh, 
Banish regret, e'en every sigh ! 
Never say die! 

Begin again! 

The rain is past ; the sky is clear ; 

The night is o'er; the dawn is here. 

Begin to know by all you lost ; 
Begin to profit by the cost ; 
Begin to see by all the past; 
The last is first; the first is last! 



[442] 



HIGH AND LOW 

Deep as the source of all things, 
High as God's secret sky, 

Mysterious as is life itself. 
Are you and I. 

Low as the depths degraded. 

Shallow as muddy pools, 
Are you and I and all mankind 

Who follow the way of fools. 



[443] 



DEAF OR BLIND? 

Do you listen, do you listen, 

To the music of the spheres? 

Do you hear very delights 

That entrance with all their mights, 

Through the days and through the 

nights ? — 
Do you listen to the music of the spheres? 

Does your vision ever see 
The beauteous sights that be 
Everywhere on land and sea, — 
Pictures all entrancingly 
Crested here for you and me ? — 
Does your vision, does your vision let you 
see? 



[444] 



I COULDN'T TELL YOU WHY 

The words you say wing by me, 
For my thoughts are in the sky; 
I couldn't tell you why, lad ; 
I couldn't tell you why. 
The things I would do are undone — 
For those which press from rise of sun ; 
Then at sunset I've just begun; 
I couldn't tell you why. 

By rule and nature, then, I'm led 
To work these rhymes out in my head; 
I couldn't tell you why, lad; 
I couldn't tell you why. 

When days are done, or you or I, 
I'll know the reason, and I'll try 
To find you in God's wondrous sky, 
Then I will tell you why, lad ; 
Then I will tell you why. 



[445] 



SING ME A SONG 

Sing me a song of joy, — the world is sad! 
Birds of night, with sweetest strains, they, too, 

make glad! 
Tears from the heart are wrung by all the sad- 
ness sung, 
While the world's mad! 

Sing of the hopeful heart and peaceful nest ! 
Sing of the harvest home, where toilers rest ! 
Sing the brave hearts of men who shall come 
back again 
As God knows best ! 

Strike me no chord of woe, — war loss or shell ! 
The world must onward go, — sing heaven, not 

hell! 
Night of the darkest sky passeth as dawn draws 

nigh ! 

All must be well ! 



[446] 



AS YOU SEE IT 

You may not think it music 
As you listen to the sea, 

But as the waves dash on the shore 
'Tis harmony to me. 

You may not hear the measures 
The winds sing o'er the lea, 

But e'en the faintest note they sing 
Is melody to me ! 

You may not find, while searching, 
A real poem, scanned or free, 

But everywhere I look or go 
There's poetry for me ! 



[447] 



WHEN THE WORLD'S ASLEEP 

When the world's asleep and life is still, 
And dawn's faint rajs the heavens fill, 
I walk abroad where jeweled dew 
Bedecks the flowers which speak to you : 

" Though the world's asleep, 
We wear our pearls, — nor keep 
For glare of day our fragrancy ! 
Some, some, there be, with eyes to see. 
Who pass our way, — yea, e'en like thee ; 
They know how blest the night hath been. 
How sweet it is to be unseen ! " 

And thus, thy blessings thou mayest reap. 
In " night time," when the world's " asleep." 



[448] 



CHEER UP 

There's a voice that I hear in my darkest hours, 
That is sweet as a bird's which sings from the 
bough ; 

And it always brings me the comfort I need, 
For it calls, " Cheer up ! Cheer up ! " I vow ! 

I have heard this message when friend was not 

nigh, 

And when never a human surrounded me. 

" Cheer up ! Cheer up ! " said the voice from 

the sky; 

And I knew one was there I could not see! 



[449] 



OPEN BOOKS 

" Ah, youth is fair," said she 
Whose envious face, time-worn. 
Was of all beauty shorn. 
" And age is sweet," said he 
Whose mellow voice indexed 
Both love and charity. 

Thus heart-throbs are recorded 
In open books which all may see, 
Where no mere line or color 
Make beautiful or homely. 



[450] 



MIGHTY MILLIONS 

While the world is spinning onward, — 
Wireless, airships, smokeless guns, — 
And we're cogitating on it. 
Lavishing on science funds 
That would lift the poor man's burdens, 
Solve the brotherhood of man, 
Till the stars would sing together 
Never like since world began. 

If the millions rich men squander 
Building piles of stone up high, 
Hoping for their names and credits 
Muffled censure when they die. 
Were but giv'n to lift their brothers, — 
Hungry men who want for bread — 
Monuments of stone or marble 
They'd not need when they were dead ! 

All the hoard of mighty millions. 
All the gems of wealth untold. 
All the shafts of finance masters 
Carved in letters bold or gold. 
Cannot speed their souls departed 
On to glory of the skies 
Like the gratitude of brother 
Whose poor heart to live but cries ! 



[451] 



THERE AND HERE 

No night, no tears, no sorrow, 
No need, — no loss, no pain ; 

Yet we mourn for those passed on, 
And wish them here again! 

No sin, no strife, no longing. 
No hate, no greed, no fear ; 

Yet would we bring the dead to life. 
That they should suffer here ! 



[452] 



THE " DEAD " POET 

died," and winged his way on high, 
Accompanied by all the seraph band; 
And passing on to joy, he left behind 

All bitter pangs e'er known in the earth land. 

The solitude in which he strung his pearls, — 
But to be scattered here before the swine, — 

He begged to worship hence, where'er he went. 
Since but for it, no music e'er were lent ! 

He sang not for the crowd, but his own soul; 

And, e'en companionless, this made him whole. 
So while entombed in unknown grave he lies, 

Before him sped his songs, — e'en to the 
skies, — 
Marking his place where song nor singer dies ! 

The Muses string his same lyre then, on high, 
And bid him sing of all that cannot die J 

When listening here, earth mortals ever hear 
The poet's song, flung on th' immortal sky! 



[453] 



MYSELF AND I 

In wintry weather 

We are alone together, — 

Myself and I. 
Conversing on life's gifts and dues 
Myself says : " Seems you have the blues, 
For I've been watching you of late. 
And I'm ashamed of you, my mate." 

" The year is finished," then said I, 
" And success tarries, though I try 
My best, my very best ; at heart I cry 
Out to you now, myself, they say. 
You've seen me struggle day by day? " 

" Aye ! aye ! " said my old self, " I saw ; 
I've ever walked the selfsame way ; 
But what were life without life's flaw? 
And what were fame without fame's strife? 
Or gold without the war with life? " 

In summer weather 

Shall we two be alone together. 

Myself, my own old self and I? 



[454] 



'ROUND THE RIM 

'Round the rim of the world which holds such 

delight, 
I wandered alone in my dreams t'other night, 
And gazed on the scenes that were pictured so 

fair 
'Round the rim of the world in its crystalized 

air. 

I met with a traveler who saw not as I, 

The beauties of life, or the world or the sky ; 

So different our views, and so sure was each 

sight 
One doubted if the other's mind was quite right ! 

'Round the rim of the world. 

You get back what you give! 
For life is a mirror; 

You reflect what you live. 
If you give no delight. 

Neither joy, nor love, — 
Off the rim of the world 

With a good, hearty shove ! 



[455] 



SOUL-POVERTY 

Fair crafts we sail, or drift, or wrecked be, 
On destiny's uncertain, shoreless sea. 
Except for love and sympathy world-wide, 
Poor sailors we, abreast a ceaseless tide ! 

A boundless haven waits, called Paradise ; 

We enter, each and every son of man, 
But ere we pass from that celestial gate 
(Ne'er closing; nor are heard the words "too 
late") 

May we look back from rescue on life's span, 
And from the final goal of every soul 

Glimpse even to the first, where life began ! 

Then waves upon this sea where bread was cast 

Shall shine as 'twere of Him, with hallowed 
light; 
Where sympathy's full store was e'er withheld. 

Dark breakers surge through black and star- 
less night! 
A shining path, a course of golden sunshine. 

Is ours to leave on destiny's rough sea : 
" When all things shall be known of all men," 

Revealed the soul's mysterious poverty. 



[456] 



WHITE NARCISSUS 

So fragile in thy springtime dress, 

Ye lift a queenly head; 
So spotless in thy purity, 

Unstinting fragrance shed. 
I choose this flower to lift my soul. 

Or speed it when I'm dead. 

Oh, its living virgin emblem 

Has lately come my way, 
And this sacred white narcissus 

Within my breast I'd lay. 
Lest a ruthless hand may gather 

My snowy, soulful flower. 
Transplant it to some foreign soil,- 

Away from Nature's bower, — 
Where its fragrance may be wasted, 

Its tender petals dried ! 
Where morning dew ne'er kisses 

The face of her who's cried ! 
Should some bitter frost in coldness. 
Unfit to touch thy hem. 
After taking all that made thee. 

Leave thee withered on the stem ! 



[457] 



FANNY ANN 

Have you known some dear old spinster 
Who was such a torch through life, 

Lighting the ways for so many, 
With no time to be a wife? 

Such is Fanny Ann. We love her ! 

She isn't of kin to us, 
But we couldn't keep house without her ; 

She straightens out muss or fuss ! 

We think of her as some angel 

The Lord has lent to earth, 
To wear a crown of womanhood 

And prove an old maid's worth. 

Seeing her face in the lamplight, 
With its halo of silvery hair, 

I mouni the loss some man never knew,- 
A maiden perfect and rare! 



[458] 



FOREST AND SEA 

A FOREST is life ; and we are its trees ; 
The ones that pass on — its rustling leaves, 
The briars are sins ; the thorns are regrets ; 
The flowers are the j oy s ; the burrs are the frets. 

A sea is this life ; and we are its ships ; 
Thought is a sea-gull that in the waves dips ; 
The tides are men's hopes; 
The storm is despair; 
The shore is God's haven ; 
And hulks everywhere, — 
Wrecks of humanity ; 
Ships once all fair. 

Through forest, — o'er sea, — 
Task set you and me 
Without choice of ours 
Must all serve these hours ! 

Shall we meet at the close? — 
This no one here knows. 
O rustling leaves, and ship-hulks once fair, 
You speak of a past, — but a future? 
Nowhere. 



[459] 



TOMORROW 

Tomorrow the buds may be blasted, 

In bloom all along life's pathway ; 
Their frail lives cannot be forecasted, — 

Oh, give me your flowers today ! 
Tomorrow may hold only memories, — 

Have a care what your dear lips say ! 
Speak fondly, and tell me you love me ; 

Oh, give me your heart today ! 

Tomorrow the sun may be shining. 

Tomorrow the rain may be past. 
Tomorrow the cloud's silver lining 

May greet us at last, — at last ! 
But tomorrow our lives may be severed 

By a fate no one can gainsay; 
Tomorrow would then be too late, dear. 

Say that you love me today! 



[460] 



THE PRIMROSE PATH 

There seems no end to sighs and tears, 

And blasted hopes and haunting fears ! 

The path we took in long past years 

Was not this winding, blinding way. 

Filled full of ghostly jeers. 

We did not choose this road ; 

There's some mistake. 

A flowery path, all sunny, did we take; 

And whilst our eyelids closed 

And we did sleep, 

A different way our feet slipped in ! 

We woke to weep. 

Now would we seek again that path we lost. 

Nor will we e'er forget all it hath cost. 



[461] 



THE VIEW 

" It's a queer old world ! " 

We heard her say : 
" It's a dear old world," 

We thought that day. 

Now she was old, and we were young; 

She suffered; we sang and played; 
We couldn't see why the world should be 

Queer to the old and staid! 

Ah, that was many a year agone ! 

Now we're old, I am afraid ; 
Still, the world is dear and we love life here. 

Though many's the grave we've made! 

Sorrow is a veil which hides the sun. 

Else a lesson in a book scarce begun ! 
Let the past go by ; learn its reasons why ; 
But don't blame the world ; — rejoice 'till you 

die. 
Love is the passport to the sky ! 



[462] 



SOLITAIRE 

A YOUNG girl, dreaming of last night's joy 
When her hand was won by a handsome boy, 
Gazes with loving and steady glare 
On a beautiful diamond solitaire! 

A bachelor-maid climbs dizzy heights, 

Afraid of no man : she'll tell you they're frights ! 

" All hail ambition and intuition ! 

But, ma cherie, of men beware ! " 

And the bachelor-maid who is not afraid. 

Plays her game of solitaire! 

Battered and frayed and careless 

And bold is the crusty bach 

Whose chickens are coming home to roost 

With never a chick to hatch ! 

" The world owes me nothing," says he ; " we're 

square ! " 
And continues to play his solitaire. 

A woman who lives in a past that's dead, — 
Old and alone, by memories fed, — 
Hints that the candle's not worth the flame, 
And plays, and plays, — game after game, — 
Recalling her days that held no care. 
Before she could only play solitaire. 



[463] 



HUNGER 

In this city of wealth and poverty, 

And class, and tone and sin. 
There is hunger evident everywhere, — 

Hunger without, within. 

The poor of the slums express their pity 

For many of riches' class ; 
And many and many a millionaire 

Would exchange, — but let that pass. 

They are sad to see, — these hungry ; 

One lacking which the other could give. 
It must be we'll pass this way again 

If life means learning the way to live. 



[464] 



RELYING ON HIM 

You've fretted and you've worried so 

You cannot sleep at night, 
A-planning every pesky thing 

You'd do to make things right. 

But have you thought there are some things 

Belong to God to do ; 
And if you'd leave those things to Him, 

He'd do them best for you ? 

Perhaps you'll find He can work out 

Problems that lose your sleep. 
If you'll just leave His work to Him, 

Relying He will keep 
The promises He's made to you, 

Though you may wake or sleep! 



[465] 



THE SCAR 

" Oh, the scars which bespeak those painful 
wounds 

Are hideous sights, are they not? " said he. 
" I just passed a traveler on the way. 
Whose face I'll recall till my dying day. 

For it bore scars that are sad to see ! " 

And I thought of the scars we cannot see, — 
The wounds of the heart, caused so uselessly, 
And which never elicit sympathy ! — 
Deep covered from prying, curious eye. 
Unsuspected to every passerby 
(Even yours and mine; even you and I). 

A scar is a hideous sight; truly, 
'Tis better if it can forgotten be ; 
But blessing it is, for you and for me, 
That the scars of the heart man cannot see. 



[466] 



A PATTERN OF YOU 

Weaving life's freedom with cares ; 
Weaving the wheat with the tares ; 
Weaving the dreams with reaHties, — 
The spirit with mortalities ; 
Weaving the smiles with the tears ; 
Weaving the hopes with the fears ; 
Jojs and pain, 
Losses and gain, 
Honor and stain. 
Sunshine and rain! 
Weaving the gold with the blue ; 
Weaving the old with the new ; 
Weaving the false with the true ! 
Threads of the past with colors fast, 
And woven, at last, a pattern of you. 



[467] 



THE BLEEDING HEART 

As white dove on an olive branch, 
Her gentle mien was all so calm; 
Where'er she passed, there was a peace, — 
The air was pregnant with such balm. 

Like whispering leaves, her soothing voice ; 
A brooklet through the woods, her tears ; — 
And thus was she called " Bleeding Heart " 
Who sorrowed, yet smiled through the years ! 

The full moon looks from yonder cloud, 
So pale and nun-like as her face ; 
But glorious sun that shines by day 
Could e'er her warmth of nature trace. 



[468] 



PALTRY THINGS 

Thousands of centuries ago 

The orang-utan fought the chimpanzee; 
They worried it out, with snarl and snout, 

In jungles far from sea. 

Today, in civilization, 

Mighty nation fights mighty nation. 

Matching their skill in murderous schemes, 

Man's blood is shed till it flows in streams. 

And stains the escutcheons of royalty 

In every land and on every sea, — 

Till the paltry things that are called kings, 
With their waving plumes and castles great. 

Are dethroned in the hearts of all living 
things. 
As all their commands of state. 

And red flows the blood in the veins of men, 
As is spilled by a king's command: 

Then, men, arise in your might and prize 
The right to live in your fatherland ! 



[469] 



SOUND 

A TINKLING bell the shepherds know, 
A flute where mountain breezes blow, 
A night bird's call when all is still. 
God's harmonies the whole world fill. 

A wailing cry the suffering know ; 
A call for help, now loud, now low ; 
Within — without — and all about, 
Discordant notes of pain and doubt. 



[470] 



THE LIFE THROB AND THE SILENCE 

Though silence held the throb of life at bay, 

" I must speak out ! " it cried. 

" Say me not nay ! " 

And rent was silence's veil, 

As life's throb, all rebelling. 

Told this tale : 

" 'Tis I, within the hearts of men, 

Which makes all life ! 

Creator, I! 

While with your veiled face you spy 

And seek to throttle me! 

It shall not be. 

True, I am here through thee ; 

But I must live; 

I must and shall be free ! " 

Surrounding all, with ever-loving face. 
Was silence with her mute embrace ; 
Knowing all things full well — 
No throb of life could tell ! 
When finished was its task — 
Unburdened and unmasked, 
Emotionless at last, — 
Within the silent gates 
The life throb passed. 



[471] 



And on and on 

They wing their silent way 

With hands enclaspt, — 

The life throb and the silence ! 



[472] 



FABRIC OF DREAMS 

Hush ! not a sound, for the dreamer dreams 
Of rainbows' rays where the sunbeam streams, 
And the shadows drift in their fleeting ways 
Across the green where the wind-harp plays. 

Halt! Pass not here! For where dreams are 

made 
Of the gossamer threads of light and shade 
And the dancing motes of the golden sun, 
The threads of a dreamer's dreams are spun. 
Hold ! 'Tis enough ! Though the day be 

drear. 
Where the dreamer dreams there is sunshine 

here, 
For the fabric of dreams where songs are spun, 
And the woof of rhyme where tomes are done. 
Are the dreamer's own, and within him lie ; — 
He sees them alone; so must you and I. 



[4rtS] 



THE WANDERERS 

As birds at nightfall wandering, 

Safe seeking only rest 
Till break of day, when they fly on 

To some fair land or nest, — 

So we at twilight wing our way, 

A hopeful heart within each breast,- 

Whither? We little know, or care, 
So long as God knows best. 

Aye, homeless wanderers are we. 
Naught can we call our own. 

Oh, may the dawn bring happiness 
For all when night hath flown. 



[474] 



RESURGAM 

And my heart said, " The world is mine, 
And the fullness of love therein ! 
Trees never murmur for leaves that have died, 
Or for what their branches have been ! " 

And the world gave back to my call, 
More than ever it took from me! 
Such is the heart that is open to give, 
Blessing eyes that are open to see! 



[475] 



POPE OF THE POOR 

Today are censers swinging 

Before altars where saints pray 

And chant their sacred requiems 
For him who's passed away. 

Earth's blessed masses all ascend, 

Rising to God's own sky, 
For Pius X, whose Christ-like soul 

Hath winged its way on high. 

But oh, the tears millions have shed, 
That more than pope hath passed,- 

A man whose great and loving heart 
Was humble, first to last. 

A father to his people, — yea. 

A father to mankind, — 
His life, example, lesson, 

None can one nobler find 

Than Pius X, who, passing. 
Left words which cannot die: 

" Together in one Christ " will be 
His blessing, ever nigh. 



[476] 



FORGIVEN MOST 

A TOILER set out, in youth's fair dawn, 

To work and to do his best ; 
With a patient heart he did his part 

And rode waves of success a-crest. 

A woman lone, past the noon of life. 

Set out on a selfless quest, — 
To soothe and quell, feed and make well 

The famished, or orphaned nest. 

A seeker set out in life's early mom 
To find what his heart did crave ; 

Alone, unknown, when life was done. 
Unsung was a lover brave. 

These three stood there at the gate of pearl 
Where the angel of God knows all the rest ; 

'Twas the lover who'd never been loved on 
earth. 
Who was first, who was last, — and best. 



[477] 



PERPLEXED 

No fairer flower e'er graced a lily-pond: 

Hers was angelic beauty ! 

A fairies' wand could only bring 

Such loveliness as hers I sing. 

And yet the thing they call a heart 

Was not possessed by her. No part 

Of love was hers, with all this comeliness ! 

I must confess the knowledge brings distress, 

For I can love her none the less. 



[478] 



A POET PAID 

I FOUND the street, I sought the door ; 

I knocked, and waited in the rain, 
(It seemed I had been here before — 

Upon some errand quite as vain:) 

Perhaps in dreams some turbid night 
In sleep I fled, sped on pain's wing, 

And halted here a wrong to right. 
To help the broken-winged to sing! 

The very door looked hopeless now ; 

I seemed to know that I had failed ; 
For doors have faces I'll allow ! 

My face within I saw had paled. 

My heart stood still. Again I knocked ; 
A bolt was slid, — a lock unlocked. 
The white-haired poet stood before 
Me, framed within the wretched door. 

So fragile fine, intensely true! 
" I've come to bring good news to you ; 
You do not know, but I strive, too, 
I am unknown; all wish they knew 
The one who writes verse as you do." 

'Twas useless, though. The white lips smiled, 
As unbeguiled as little child. 

[479] 



" There's nothing now that can be done ; 
My cheque will come by morrow's sun ! " 

And paid at last, by dawn, was he; 
Paid as he paid eternity. 



[4<80] 



SHADOW ISLE 

Afar out on a silver sea, 

There lies a shadow isle, 
Where known is every ecstasy 

A human could beguile. 

Through mists of morn, and pearly night, 

Its restful shades aglow 
With all that speaks for happiness 

And peace we yearn to know! 

For you, the long-sought love is there; 

For me, the love I knew; 
The friends that made life sweet for me; 

The one you need, waits you. 

Upon this shadow isle I wist. 

Far out on silver sea. 
No breakers surge, nor ever break 

The hopes of you and me! 

The best a human heart could do 
Completes the passport there; 

The boatswain calls to me, — to you, — 
" To the island free from care ! " 



[481] 



UNKNOWN 

Out in the lacy moonlight 

Where the silver webs are spun 

Milady walks midst the lily-stalks 
Whose blooms are just begun. 

So fair as their snowy petals, 

So pure as a lily-cup, 
Is she whose every memory 

I sacredly garner up ! 

As the zephyrs wrap about her 

And the moonlight enfolds her there, 

I envy them both the privilege 
Of kissing her fair gold hair! 

Instead of an unknown lover, 

Alone on a fragrant night, 
I would kneel in the dust about her, 

While she trod on my beaming light ! 

ENVOI 

Were I only a placid moonbeam 
On a heavenly night like this, 

My lily so fair, in the garden there, 
I could kiss and kiss and kiss. 



[482] 



JUST 

If you marry for companionship, 
You may eat your crust alone ; 

You may wander as the guest of God, 
If you marry for a home. 

If you'd weld with gold the marriage bond. 
You may sweat to earn your bread; 

There is one cause, and one only. 
Which will bless the marriage bed. 



[483] 



ACROSS A GRAVE 

Across a grave a faint voice came to me: 
" Seeker of death's mystery, 
Why spend the little time thou'rt here, 
Trying to see beyond the bier? 

" The veil for aye hath hidden 
All ye seek : then go, you're bidden ; 
And from today look to thy earthly way. 
That we may meet, though 'tis not here : 
And shed no tear for me. 

" Thou can'st not, — nor can an}^, — see ! 

Then leave this mystery 

As one ' ye cannot bear,' 

Till mansions in thy Father's home 

For thee He doth prepare." 



[484] 



HAND ME DOWNS 

Yes, yes ; let me see, — 

Why she used to be 

Mrs. J. Martin Flynn 

Before she roped Tom in! 

She ran with that Mrs. Floyd Blynn, 

Who was formerly Mrs. O'Grady 

'Fore she married him and was shady. 

Don't tell me that Nora is married again ! 
For her that makes ten. 
And Jack is abroad with Mrs. Newwood? 
Yep ; got his divorce, — sailed as soon as he 
could. 

Max Wolfe? Oh, poor Max, — 

His morals were lax. 

His wife divorced him. 

And married the husband 

Of that silly Lou Bell 

Who kept house so well. 

You know Alice lives in Vienna ; 

She and Mark Henna 

Both left theirs and eloped last December; 

Why, don't you remember! 



[486] 



Oh, no ; I must go ; it is late. 
Don't tell Frank I've a date 
With Flo's husband to meet him at six, 
When we dine. Should Flo know, 
Now wouldn't he be in a fix.? 



[486] 



SUNSET AND SUNRISE 

The caroled song was finished; 

All the sun's rays tucked away; 
The fairest star of evening 

Told the passing of the day. 

A privileged life was ended; 

All the lessons gladly learned; 
The sun rose in the morning 

Of a perfect day, — well earned. 



[487] 



EMBERS 

The dim old room is filled with shadows 

Of another day and age, 
Recalling all the old lang syne, 

As history fills a page! 

Dying firelight leaves the embers ; 

Faces pass we knew of yore, 
And, except in memory's fancies. 
Thought never to see them more, — 
Drifting, shifting, filing, smiling, — 
Faces that have gone before. 
Father, with his j ovial laugh ; 
My lady mother's grace ; 
Grandma, with her silver curls 
And holy, wrinkled face. — 
Thus the dying embers bring back those who've 

passed. 
Making earth and dreamland one 
While the shadows last. 



[488] 



SHINE INSIDE 

While out and about in the cars at nine, 
On a freezing morn, a boot-black's sign 
Across the corner I spied and eyed; 
It read and said to me, " Shine inside." 

'Twas a bitter day, I had come this way ; 
And why this way I could hardly say, 
Unless to read this boot-black's sign, 
And take its lesson today for mine. 
With all of its living glow allied: 
*' Shine inside." Shine inside ! 



[489] 



REALMS BEYOND 

Into the realms beyond earth's woe, 
Where each of us hope one day to go 
When he leaves behind this useless hulk, 
Unfettered by sins of the mortal bulk, — 
Must we take along, by the Lord's decree, 
Whatever those sins made of you and me? 

As we clasp those close to the earthly breast, — 
Drink, passions, fraud, greed, and all the 

rest, — 
Could we see into realms beyond earth's woe. 
And know these things, — would we let them 

go? 



[490] 



DIVERS GIFTS 

You envy me? I envy you. 

Not what is ours would we possess; 
You prize the gift that is not bestowed, 

While the one you own is nothing less. 

You speak of a gift God-given, — 

Some special blessing rare, — 
Forgetting within each, dormant, 
Is a blessing beyond compare ! 

Perhaps you have not been lonely; 

Have never suffered pain; 
The sun has been shining always? 

Then you know nothing of rain ! 

For love is a wine, an essence. 

Which only a bruised heart knows; 

The gift you envy is pressed by pain 
From the soul which overflows. 



[491] 



FROM THE THICKET 

Never a voice from the thicket. 



Singing its matin hymn, — 
E'en of a feathered creature, 
Hopping from limb to limb, — 
But blest as it woke the stillness, 
Lifting some eye tear-dim. 

Never a song of a singer. 

Trilling its heartful lay, — 

E'en of a strolling musician. 

Halting along the way, — 

But stirred in some vibrant heart-string 

Thoughts of a by-gone day. 



[492] 



so LITTLE 

It takes so little here on earth to make us glad ; 
It seems too bad that it should be denied 
When life is passing on and we have tried 
Most every way to make life pay, and seem 
worth while. 

We know, — when it's most time to go — 

The things on earth that we prize so 

Are little things, now, after all : 

A smile, a nod, a kiss, a call. 

An hungering after friendship true, — 

These made life fair for me and you ! 

It's not the gold we've piled up high 
That's going to bless us bye and bye. 
When our time's come, and we must die ! 
It's memories, sweet and fair and kind. 
That'll make the world we leave behind, — 
And take along — as like as not, — 
A place too grand to be forgot ! 



[49S] 



THREADS OF FATE 

Fate placed a web within mj hands and said: 
" These are the threads, of every texture, hue, 
From which to weave a fabric, false or true ! 
The pattern and the skill is left to you, 
Or, if you choose, loom, needle, shuttle's aid. 
But at the last shall you be judged and placed 
By whatsoever here you may have made." 

Thus left alone with the threads of every kind, 
Bravely I started in to wind and wind; 
E'er thinking of the pattern I would choose 
As, separating white from gold and blues, 
I found I loved best all the rosy hues ! 

What pattern, then, would blend with these? 

There was no need but self to please. 

The needle, then ! And crimson thread I 

choose, — 
Warmth so deep and true bespeak its hues ! 
The pattern I would choose, — a heart, a 

heart ! 
So easy 'twould be, — what I liked to do. 
The thread broke off, all snarled and tangley ; 
And thus a heart was lost, — was lost to me. 

Then, would I take these threads and weave a 

home — 
So fair, so splendid, none would care to roam, 

[494] 



Who passed within its portals, evermore; 
Such peace and happiness beyond its door! 

But coveted the gold I chose for this, 
By those who wove at other looms. 
And snatched these threads before I could com- 
plete 
The pattern of this dream, or half the rooms ! 

So now with shuttle, day by day, I stitch. 
And useful garments make for poor and rich; 
No thought give I to idle hopes, regrets ; 
But do all I can e'er the sun sets. 

Oft, when tired eyes gaze on the task ahead, 
E'en all but finished, with heart unafraid, 

I think of Fate, and all the words she said: 
" You shall be judged at last by what you've 
made," 



[495] 



SOME LOWLY LOT 

Some lowly lot vouchsafe to me; 

Some place with plain humanity; 
A quiet spot, unkempt, ungrand; 

A cot beside the changing sea. 

Some humble friends, great though they be 
(For greatness spells humility) 

Place daily to commune with me; 
And from convention set us free. 

Some lowly lot, at last, then choose, 

Where daisies' gold o'er meadows strews ; 

And there, unnamed, lay me to rest. 
The lowliest things of earth are best ! 



[496] 



DEAREST WISH 

What is the dream you dream, of all earth's 
dreams, 

You'd have come true? 
Open the door this far, and let me see; 

Then I'll know you. 

What is the wish you hold, 
Nearer than kin, — dearer than gold ? 
Seer need not tell your past if I know this, 
For you have told. 



[4*97] 



WIRELESS 

You may belong to the princess class, 
Or maybe you are just you; 

You may be thinking, as we pass, 
That really I won't do. 

Or maybe you think a kindly thought, 
As you grace the lovely day ; 

I only know, as I've been taught. 
It will reach me on life's highway ! 

Owned by each one is a '' wireless " here, 
Operated by self from birth ; 

Then send no message of hate or fear. 
But add to the joys of earth. 



[498] 



QUESTIONS 

Dear Lord, and dost Thou lead me? 

Then whyfor take this way? 
If Thou canst choose the daylight path, 

Why this, without one ray? 

And didst Thou give me blessing. 

But to be ta'en away? 
Then knowest why my lips are dumb, 

Thou teachest how to pray. 

Dear Lord, are mists of tearful eyes 
More prized by Thee than song? 

Oh, can the humble praise with hearts 
That suffer wrong too long? 



[499] 



MANY 

Many a one has been homeless, 

Though rooftree covered his head; 
Many a one has been hungry, 

Who did not need for bread; 
Many a one has fainted 

From stress, e'en more than toil ; 
Many a one has passed as clean. 

Whose soul was grimed with soil; 
Many a one has worn a cloak 

Which did not bear a hood; 
Smirks that covered a sinner's deeds 

Passed many bad, for good. 
Many a heart is an alien 

Which is thought to have landed home; 
Many a one is companioned 

Who alone with his heart must roam ; 
Many a wound and scar of life 
Was made without sabre, sword, or knife! 



[500] 



VANITY 

He strove for greatness, power; 
Each hour was filled with lust 

For game ; a name 

To leave as heritage ; 

Sage, wizard, seer ; — 
Thus did he wish himself described 
Upon a granite bier. 

Time winged its way to sunset hour. 

Power had he used; but not to bless. 

Useless life, — his life of stress. 

Of pelf, and greed, and avarice ! 

So dwarfed and warped his soul 

That when it passed, men said: 

" At last he's gone, — to meet no friend ; 

And left behind the only one he e'er could 

hold." 
A fool was he, who worshiped gold. 



[501] 



OURS BE 

Lay them aside, — the pretty things. 

Who would bedeck themselves engay, 
When every country, e'en but ours, 
Mourns war losses today? 

Lay them aside, — the festive plans. 

Ah, who can dance while nations weep 
For razed homes, lost, missing, dead. 

Bereft of all they loved to keep. 

Lay them aside, — all profitless 

Their aspirations, hopes of years ; 

Ours be the task to share such grief; 
Ours be the hearts to weep these tears. 



[502] 



IN MEMORIAM 

They said, " She is dead who has once lived 

here, 
A summer ago, — she who made such cheer 
And delight as only one can, so dear 
And selfless and tender." It seemed most queer 
That none who knew her say, as I, 
Such love as hers can never die ! 
And she is not dead who has thus lived here ; 
Aye, hers was the clay they laid away 
Midst the roses and snow that winter's day. 
They who say she died, — 
Well, they cannot see 
The visions a merciful God sends me. 



[505] 



THE AWAKENING 

The bare brown winter branches 
All warmed beneath the sun, 
And growing buds of scented bloom 
Unfolded one by one. 

(Beneath the heart hard frozen 
Love's warmth thawed as the sod; 
A single thought changed all within, 
Revealing love of God.) 

All Nature's pent-up forces 
Awakened; everything 
Put forth its leaf or tendril, 
Reaching to welcome Spring. 

(So all the unknown blessings 
Of love and God akin, 
Awoke and longed, enraptured, 
To take the whole world in.) 



[504] 



THIS YOU MUST KNOW 

You cannot turn away 

From your own self, — 
That's you. 
No matter what you do, 

Nor where you go, 
This you must know. 

Along, within you, though the scenes may 

change. 
Divided from lang syne by a wide range, — 
Thoughts, deeds, words, memories, 
Which make you. 
You'll take along where'er you go: 
This you must know. 

You cannot run away 

From what you are, — 
Yourself. 
Though you may pass from star to star. 

There is no shelf 
Where you can hide from you though far 

And farther you may go: 

This you must know. 



[505] 



NOTES 

Humanity is like an orchestra 
Whose various notes clamor, or play 
Divinest music. 

Some are mellow flutes 
Whose silver tones, brought forth 
By master hand, 

Are chosen as the sweetest of the band: 
And some are clarinets ; some oboes ; 
Bass viols ; 'cellos ; 
Some are drums, — loud but all needful fellows ! 

In harmony, with skill, 
All make one glorious number: 
Aye — aye, — with skill, — 

'Tis this humanity must learn apast death's 
slumber ! 



[506] 



A SOLDIER'S CHANCE 

Tramp, tramp, through the fog and the damp 
And the broil and the heat of day, 

To sleep in the forest black and dark, 
Or fields where they've cut the hay. 

Tramp, tramp, you of soldier stamp, 

Ahead is the firing line. 
Where the light of day may be crushed away 

From you and all you call thine. 

Tramp, tramp, there's no time to camp ; 

" On, on ! " is the battle cry ; 
With thousands and thousands of guns on 
you,— 

You've a soldier's chance to die! 



[507] 



WHEN SOPHIE SMILES 

A RIFT of sunshine through the clouds, 

A promise which beguiles 
My heart to hope for better things, 

I feel when Sophie smiles ! 

A glimpse of heaven's paradise, 

A pearly gate the while 
Opens to dreams I dare not tell. 

When Sophie smiles, 
When Sophie smiles! 

A solace for earth's woeful pains 

Along life's dreary miles, 
Could I just own the heart that's 'neath 

Those smiles that Sophie smiles ! 



[508] 



WHY IS A SPINSTER? 

Nobody called her sweetheart; 

Nobody praised her ever; 
No one inspired her to do her best, — 
Lonely was each endeavor. 

Nobody soothed her heartache ; 

No, nobody " cared " for her ; 
Yet there wasn't any but envied 

The love in her heart astir, 

Which blest all with its blessing. 
As it warmed all with its glow! 

Why was Leonie a spinster? 

That is what I should like to know. 



[509] 



BY THE WAYSIDE 

There is no art in form that is not varied; 

There were no music with but one refrain; 
I will not wear a shoe so small it pinches; 

Should I subject my muse to such a strain? 

Expression is more valued than its pattern ; 
'Tis thought and words that count, — all else 



IS vam 



A chiseled flower its niche may hold for ages ; 
A little wayside weed may soothe great pain ! 

Then let me grow along the dusty highway, 
And blossoms throw out for the passers-by 

Possessing at the< root some virtue blending 
To cure or soothe the humble, e'en as I. 



[510] 



